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Congress·In Committee·12 months ago

New Bill Aims to Require Medicare Coverage for Implanted Middle Ear Hearing Devices

Also known as: Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(4)
Medicare
Helps

Would classify implanted middle ear hearing devices as prosthetics, making them eligible for Medicare coverage.

Retiree
Helps

Seniors on Medicare with hearing loss could get implanted hearing devices covered, reducing major out-of-pocket costs.

Sensory Disability
Helps

People who need surgically implanted middle ear devices would gain Medicare coverage for this specific treatment.

Chronic Illness
Helps

Those with chronic hearing conditions requiring implants rather than standard hearing aids could benefit from new coverage.

Key Points

  • Congress introduced a bill to make sure Medicare covers a specific type of hearing technology called fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices.
  • Right now, Medicare generally does not pay for hearing aids. This bill would label these specific implants as prosthetics, which are medical tools that Medicare is allowed to cover.
  • This change is meant to help people with hearing loss who need surgery for an internal device rather than just a removable hearing aid that sits in or on the ear.
  • If the bill becomes law, the agency that runs Medicare would have 60 days to update its rules to include these devices in its coverage plans.
Medicare MedicaidHealthcare

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 6, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

CMS would have 60 days to clarify that implanted middle ear devices are prosthetics covered by Medicare

If the bill becomes law, Medicare beneficiaries could start getting coverage for these implanted hearing devices within about two months.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act

Bill NumberHR 1921
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.