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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1921

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

Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Congress Moves to Expand Medicare Coverage for Middle Ear Implants
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

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

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

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.

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.

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 983Related bill

Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act

Mar 12 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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. Always verify with official sources.