INS CODE-HEARING AIDS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals 65 years of age and older when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for hearing instruments subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 24 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/5-16.8 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Provides that an insurer shall offer, for an additional premium and subject to the insurer's standard of insurability, optional coverage or optional reimbursement for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals (rather than the requiring the insurer to provide coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals 65 years of age or older) when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument to augment communication. Provides a maximum of $2,500 (rather $1,500) for the hearing instrument and related services every 24 months. Provides that nothing in the provisions precludes an insured from selecting a more expensive hearing instrument as his or her own expense. Removes language providing that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim filed by its insured for the payment of the cost of a hearing instrument if less than 24 months before the date of the claim its insured filed a claim for payment of the cost of the hearing instrument and the claim was paid by the insurer. Removes provisions amending the Illinois Public Aid Code. House Floor Amendment No. 3 In provisions amending the Illinois Insurance Code, provides that nothing in the provisions precludes an insured from selecting a hearing instrument that costs more than the amount covered by a plan of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan and paying the uncovered cost at his or her own expense (rather than a more expensive hearing instrument at his or her own expense). Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 In provisions amending the Illinois Insurance Code, provides that a "hearing care professional" may also mean a licensed hearing instrument dispenser. Provides that the provisions shall not be construed to require a group policy to provide coverage if the group is unable to meet mandatory minimum participation requirements set by the insurer.