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Bill

A 3249

Requires insurance policies to provide coverage for medically necessary hearing aids purchased from hearing aid dispensers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Charles Lavine and 1 co-sponsor

Requires health insurers to cover medically necessary hearing aids purchased from hearing aid dispensers, reducing out-of-pocket costs for people who need them.

REFERRED TO INSURANCE
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Bill Summary · A 3249

Summary of Assembly Bill A 3249 (2025)

Note: This summary reflects the information provided. The full text of the bill would define precise language, definitions, and any implementation details.

What the bill would do

  • A 3249 would require insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing aids that are medically necessary and purchased from hearing aid dispensers. The goal is to ensure access to medically necessary hearing aid devices through standard insurance benefits.

Purpose and intent

  • To expand insurance coverage for hearing aids, reducing out-of-pocket costs for individuals with medically necessary needs.
  • To align coverage for hearing aids with the medical necessity designation and ensure access when devices are obtained through licensed hearing aid dispensers.

Key provisions (based on available information)

  • Mandate: Insurance policies must cover hearing aids that are deemed medically necessary and purchased from hearing aid dispensers.
  • Source of purchase: Coverage specifically references devices obtained from hearing aid dispensers.
  • The bill’s text provided does not include detailed definitions of “medically necessary,” eligibility criteria, coverage limits, copayments/deductibles, hearing aid types (e.g., behind-the-ear, in-the-ear), duration of coverage, or annual/lifetime caps. Those details would appear in the full bill text and implementing regulations.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who require hearing aids and obtain them through hearing aid dispensers.
  • Health insurance policyholders, including those with plans governed by the bill.
  • Hearing aid dispensers and providers who sell devices to patients who rely on insurer coverage.
  • Insurance issuers subject to the mandate, which would need to modify policy terms to conform.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 27, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Insurance.
  • Legislative actions listed: Referred to Insurance on 2025-01-27 (two entries of the same action are noted).
  • Next steps (typical): Committee consideration, potential amendments, floor votes in the Assembly, and eventual consideration by the Senate (with possible companion or related bills).

Sponsorship

  • Primary sponsor: Charles Lavine.
  • Cosponsor: Karen McMahon.

Related bills and context

  • Related or companion bills from prior sessions: A 7861 (prior-session), A 3023 (prior-session), and S 5789 (companion; listed twice, indicating a companion version exists).
  • These related measures suggest ongoing consideration of hearing aid coverage across sessions and potentially in both legislative chambers.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Patients: Potentially increased access to medically necessary hearing aids with insurer coverage, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
  • Insurers: Would need to adjust policy terms to comply; may affect premium adequacy and claims processing for hearing aids.
  • Providers: Hearing aid dispensers may experience greater demand if coverage expands affordability.
  • Fiscal considerations: Not stated; would depend on coverage scope, caps, and exemptions defined in the final bill.

For readers seeking a deeper understanding, the full bill text would clarify definitions (e.g., “medically necessary”), coverage parameters (cost sharing, limits, eligible devices), and any exemptions or transitional provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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