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128th MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 761 |
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LR 2151(02) |
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An Act To
Increase Access to Hearing Aids |
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Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
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Committee: Health and Human Services |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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| Fiscal Note |
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Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Current biennium cost increase - Federal Expenditures Fund |
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| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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The bill would
provide reimbursement for a hearing aid for one hearing-impaired ear for an
individual enrolled in the MaineCare program when the hearing loss has been
documented by an approved physician or an audiologist and the hearing aid has
been provided by an approved audiologist or a hearing aid dealer. Currently,
MaineCare members over 21 can receive hearing aids when meeting multiple
requirements, including having moderate to severe hearing loss and being in
post-secondary school or vocational training or working and having a
physician identify the need for hearing aids for school, training or work.
This bill provides hearing aids for one hearing impaired ear approved by a
physician or audiologist and a second hearing aid only if the other MaineCare
requirements are met, which would be a lower threshold than the current
rules. This would increase the costs for hearing aids. It is unknown how many
members would receive hearing aids under the new, less strict rules. Thus, no
estimate of cost is made at this time. |
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