AN ACT AMEND TITLE 18 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEARING AID COVERAGE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Russ Huxtable and 9 co-sponsors

Requires insurers to cover medically necessary hearing aids and related services for dependents under 26 at no cost, with upgrades at least every three years.

Amendment SA 1 to SS 2 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

Purpose and Intent

Amend Title 18 and Title 29 of the Delaware Code to require insurance coverage for hearing aids and related services for individuals under 26 who are covered as dependents under a policyholder’s plan.

Ensure access to medically necessary hearing aids, earmolds, and related services at no cost to the insured.

Key Provisions

Who is Covered

Individuals younger than 26 years old who are dependents on an insurance policy.

What is Covered

Medically necessary hearing aids, including:
Hearing aids with earmolds
Hearing aids with a slim tube
Receiver-in-ear (RIE) hearing aids
Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA)
Cochlear implants
Medically necessary parts, attachments, and accessories related to hearing aids.
Medically necessary services related to prescribing, fitting, implanting, or dispensing hearing aids.

Cost to Consumers

Coverage must be provided at no cost to the covered individual (i.e., no out-of-pocket expenses for the covered items/services listed).

Frequency/Duration of Coverage

Coverage for hearing aids and earmolds is required at least once every three years, or sooner if a newer hearing aid is medically necessary.

Effective Date and Applicability

Effective upon the Governor’s signature.
Applies to policies, contracts, or certificates issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended, or reissued after December 31, 2027.

Administration/Financial Impact

The State Employee Group Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) third-party administrators estimate an annual cost of $517,000 to implement the provisions.
No fiscal impact reported for Fiscal Year 2027 or 2028; $517,000 estimated for Fiscal Year 2029.

Affected Relationships and Entities

Insurers and Policyholders

Health insurers providing dependent coverage to individuals under 26 will need to cover the specified hearing aids and related services at no cost to the beneficiary.

Healthcare Providers

Hearing care professionals involved in prescribing, fitting, or dispensing hearing aids, as well as those providing related services or parts.

State Programs

State-managed health plans, notably the GHIP, will incur the estimated annual cost.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Legislative Process Milestones

In Senate: Adopted in lieu of original SB 269 and referred to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee, then assigned to Finance Committee.
Reported out of Committee with favorable and on-its-merits votes (April 15, 2026).

Effective Date

Becomes effective upon the Governor’s signature.

Implementation Window

Coverage applies to policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2027.

Practical Impact

Improves access to a broader range of hearing aid technologies for young people under 26 who are dependents.

Eliminates out-of-pocket costs for covered hearing aids, earmolds, parts, and related services when medically necessary.

Introduces a defined renewal/upgrade cadence (at least every three years or sooner if medically necessary) to ensure up-to-date amplification technology.

Requires state budget planning for the GHIP to accommodate the ongoing incremental cost starting in fiscal year 2029.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language one-page explainer for patients and families or a quick comparison to current Delaware insurance coverage rules.

Bill