Families Rally For Hearing Aid Coverage For Kids
Massachusetts Insurers Not Required To Pay Costs
POSTED: 4:19 pm EST November 4,
2009
UPDATED: 6:17 pm EST November 4,
2009
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BOSTON -- For our hearing impaired Web users, the text below represents a transcription of the video associated with this story. Imagine having your child diagnosed with hearing loss only to find out insurance companies won't pay for hearing aids. That's exactly what is happening here in Massachusetts.But as NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported Wednesday, a group of local parents are trying to change that.They need hearing aids so their little voices can be heard. But parents across Massachusetts are scrambling to find a way to pay for them.
Families Rally For Hearing Aid Coverage For Kids"Hearing aids are not currently covered by insurance companies here in Massachusetts," said Josephine Lee, a mother from Georgetown, Mass.Lee's story is not uncommon. Her two sons 5 year old Nicholas and two month old Kevin need hearing aids. And she's can't afford the out-of-pocket cost of a replacement for Nicholas, and Kevin's first pair."Our insurance company flat out refuses to pay," she said. "They're $4,000 per pair, and they need replacing every couple of years."Lee showed up at the State House Wednesday with other families to rally behind a bill that calls for insurance companies to cover 80 percent of the cost."It is such a no-brainer for coverage," said Michelle Dardeno, a mother from Lexington, Mass.Doctors recommend babies with hearing loss get aids by the time they're six months old, so their language and speech won't be delayed."It's medically necessary, otherwise they will be delayed. They will need special education. They will need speech and language services," said Daneille Jarjura, a speech pathologist with Children's Speech and Hearing in Arlington, Mass.But state insurers oppose the mandate. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans released this statement, "While well-intentioned, mandated benefits add to the cost of health care, increasing the cost for employers and consumers."Massachusetts insurers are not required to pay for hearing aids for adults either. Another bill is being proposed next week that would call for insurers to pay for hearing aids for adults and children.
Families Rally For Hearing Aid Coverage For Kids"Hearing aids are not currently covered by insurance companies here in Massachusetts," said Josephine Lee, a mother from Georgetown, Mass.Lee's story is not uncommon. Her two sons 5 year old Nicholas and two month old Kevin need hearing aids. And she's can't afford the out-of-pocket cost of a replacement for Nicholas, and Kevin's first pair."Our insurance company flat out refuses to pay," she said. "They're $4,000 per pair, and they need replacing every couple of years."Lee showed up at the State House Wednesday with other families to rally behind a bill that calls for insurance companies to cover 80 percent of the cost."It is such a no-brainer for coverage," said Michelle Dardeno, a mother from Lexington, Mass.Doctors recommend babies with hearing loss get aids by the time they're six months old, so their language and speech won't be delayed."It's medically necessary, otherwise they will be delayed. They will need special education. They will need speech and language services," said Daneille Jarjura, a speech pathologist with Children's Speech and Hearing in Arlington, Mass.But state insurers oppose the mandate. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans released this statement, "While well-intentioned, mandated benefits add to the cost of health care, increasing the cost for employers and consumers."Massachusetts insurers are not required to pay for hearing aids for adults either. Another bill is being proposed next week that would call for insurers to pay for hearing aids for adults and children.Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
