On August 23, 2018, Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB4516, which requires Illinois insurance companies to provide coverage for hearing aids for children under the age of 18. The coverage requirements includes devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone-anchored devices. The new requirements also cover most of the parts and accessories that come with each device, including earmolds. (The bill excludes batteries and cords from the coverage requirements.)

The bill is effective immediately, which means that insurers will begin providing this benefit with policies issued after August 22, 2018. If you have a claim denied, please report it to the Illinois Department of Insurance.

This much needed bill will go a long way to helping children with hearing loss and their families gain access to the life-changing technology and resources needed to help these kids live full and productive lives.  

Many individuals worked tirelessly to make this a reality, including State Representative Laura Fine, State Senator Julie Morrison, and State Senator Ira Silverstein.  The project was spearheaded and championed by Adam Braun, an attorney with Greenberg Traurig LLP and Board Member of the Foundation for Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation.  

For more information on this Bill, see the Bill itself at HB4516.