As an FYI, we would like to offer a brief report on newly-introduced Medicare hearing aid legislation. On April 18, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced HR 1912, the Medicare Hearing Enhancement and Auditory Rehabilitation (HEAR) Act. This legislation would provide Medicare coverage for hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services for seniors with hearing loss. At this time, the legislation has no cosponsors.
IHS does not expect the HEAR Act to advance because the cost would be prohibitive. Further, the hearing healthcare community has rallied around hearing aid tax credit legislation as a more fiscally responsible way to expand the number of Americans who enjoy the benefits of amplification. Just the same, IHS Washington Counsel, along with government relations staff at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, plan to meet with the Congressman's staff to discuss the hearing healthcare delivery system and the vital role of the hearing instrument specialist.
Please feel free to contact Susan Stewart, Government Relations Manager, if you have any questions.
IHS will keep you posted on any new developments.
