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An Act To Increase Access to Hearing Aids
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3174-ZZ  is enacted to read:
§ 3174-ZZ. Reimbursement for hearing aids
 
1.  Hearing aid; definition.     For purposes of this section, "hearing aid" means a nonexperimental, wearable instrument or device designed for the ear and offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing.
 
2.  Required reimbursement.     The department shall provide reimbursement for a hearing aid for one hearing-impaired ear of an individual enrolled in the MaineCare program in accordance with the following requirements:
 
A.  The hearing loss must be documented by a primary care provider or an audiologist licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 137;
 
B.  The hearing aid must be provided by an audiologist or a hearing aid dealer licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 137; and
 
C.  The hearing loss must meet the requirements established by the department in rule regarding the individual's severity of hearing loss.
 
The department shall provide reimbursement for a hearing aid for the 2nd hearing-impaired ear of an individual enrolled in the MaineCare program if the individual meets requirements established by the department by rule regarding the individual's severity of hearing loss, enrollment in school, enrollment in vocational training, employment needs or the needs identified by a primary care provider.
 
3.  Rulemaking.     The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.