Effective - 28 Aug 2021
376.1228. Hearing aids coverage for children required — amount of coverage — exclusions — additional state costs subject to appropriations. — 1. For purposes of this section, the terms "health carrier" and "health benefit plan" shall have the same meanings given to the terms under section 376.1350, and the term "hearing aid" shall have the same meaning given to the term under section 345.015.
2. Each health carrier or health benefit plan that offers or issues health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2022, shall, at a minimum, provide coverage to children under eighteen years of age for all hearing aids covered for children who receive MO HealthNet benefits under section 208.151.
3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a supplemental insurance policy, including a life care contract, accident-only policy, specified disease policy, hospital policy providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare supplement policy, long-term care policy, short-term major medical policies of six months' or less duration, or any other supplemental policy as determined by the director of the department of commerce and insurance.
4. Any additional costs to the state created under the provisions of this section shall be subject to appropriation. If any agency of the federal government determines that this section violates 42 U.S.C. Section 18116 relating to nondiscrimination, the provisions of this section shall be null and void.
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(L. 2021 H.B. 432)