Demand for Increased Financial Support to Families of Privately Insured Pediatric Hearing Aid Users.

Abstract

Purpose: The ability to hear is germane in fostering communiation skills in children and plays a crucial role in their overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, hearing impairment is one of the most common developmental discrepancies in children.

Objective: To describe and evaluate the current legislation surrounding pediatric hearing aid reimbursement and the implications of these policies.

Evidence review: A review of the scientific literature in addition to several state legislature sites was used to write this article.

Major findings: Private insurance reimbursement for pediatric hearing aids is variable between vendors and states. Only half of United States have passed legislation requiring insurers to cover hearing aids for their subscribers. Due to the lack of reimbursement for these expensive yet medically necessary devices, families across the country experience financial distress associated with the lack of coverage for hearing aids. In many cases, this leaves children without the ability to hear to their fullest potential.

Conclusion: It is time we as otolaryngologists advocate for a national solution to this issue and promote a national policy to require private insurers to cover the costs of hearing aids for their subscribers.