What This Bill Does
This bill removes Medicare's current ban on paying for hearing aids and the medical exams needed to fit them. The bill is called the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2023 and asks the government to study hearing aid programs across the country.
Who It Affects
People on Medicare who need hearing aids or hearing aid examinations. The Comptroller General of the United States (a government official who oversees federal spending).
Key Provisions
* Medicare will no longer exclude hearing aids and related examinations from coverage under current law (Sec. 2(a))
* The Comptroller General must study all programs, including federal programs and health insurance, that help people with hearing loss pay for hearing aids and exams (Sec. 3(a))
* The study will look at how many Americans need hearing aids, how many have coverage through these programs, and whether the programs work well (Sec. 3(a))
* The Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress with recommendations on changes to these programs, including new programs that might help (Sec. 3(b))
What Changes
Medicare will begin covering hearing aids and examinations for fitting hearing aids, starting on January 1, 2024. The government will research how many people need these devices and whether current assistance programs are meeting their needs.
Important Definitions
None defined in the bill text.
Effective Date
January 1, 2024 (Sec. 2(b))
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 244
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion
of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and examinations therefor, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 10, 2023
Mrs. DINGELL (for herself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. DOGGETT, Ms. KAPTUR,
Mr. KILMER, Ms. MATSUI, and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a pe-
riod to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for con-
sideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove
the exclusion of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and
examinations therefor, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Medicare Hearing Aid
4
Coverage Act of 2023’’.
5
VerDate Sep 11 2014
03:36 Jan 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H244.IH
H244
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
2
•HR 244 IH
SEC. 2. REMOVING MEDICARE EXCLUSION OF COVERAGE
1
OF
HEARING
AIDS
AND
EXAMINATIONS
2
THEREFOR.
3
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social
4
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7)) is amended by strik-
5
ing ‘‘hearing aids or examinations therefor,’’.
6
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by
7
this section shall apply to items and services furnished on
8
or after January 1, 2024.
9
SEC. 3. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON HEARING AID PRO-
10
GRAMS.
11
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United
12
States shall conduct a study of programs, including Fed-
13
eral programs and health insurance coverage, that provide
14
assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for
15
individuals with hearing loss. Such study shall include an
16
examination of the number of individuals in the United
17
States with hearing loss who need hearing aids, their cov-
18
erage under such programs, and the effectiveness of such
19
programs in meeting such need. Such study may also ad-
20
dress programs that are designed to reduce or mitigate
21
the incidence of hearing loss.
22
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the
23
date specified in section 2(b), the Comptroller General
24
shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted
25
under subsection (a). Such report shall include such rec-
26
VerDate Sep 11 2014
03:36 Jan 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H244.IH
H244
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
3
•HR 244 IH
ommendations on changes in such programs, including the
1
establishment of new programs, as would meet the needs
2
of individuals with hearing loss.
3
Æ
VerDate Sep 11 2014
03:36 Jan 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H244.IH
H244
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB