Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Requires SHBP coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants for covered persons.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning health benefits coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants and amending P.L.2008, c.126.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 10 of P.L.2008, c.126 (C.52:14-17.29n) is amended to read as follows:
10. a. The State Health Benefits Commission shall, on or after the effective date of this act, provide benefits for medically necessary expenses incurred in the purchase of a hearing aid or cochlear implant for a covered person [21 years of age or younger], as provided in this section.
b. The benefits shall include the purchase of a hearing aid for each ear, when medically necessary and as prescribed or recommended by a licensed physician or audiologist. The commission may limit the benefit provided in this section to $2,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 60 months.
c. The benefits shall provide coverage of the cost of treatment related to cochlear implants, including procedures for the implantation of cochlear devices and costs for any parts, attachments, or accessories of the device, including replacement of obsolete external cochlear implant processors.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.275, s.9)
2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the State Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of a hearing aid or cochlear implant regardless of a covered person’s age.
Specifically, the bill amends P.L.2008, c.126, “Grace’s Law,” by removing the specification that health benefits plans or contracts which are issued or purchased pursuant to the State Health Benefits Program are to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of a hearing aid or cochlear implant only for covered persons who are 21 years of age or younger.