(215 ILCS 5/356z.30a)

Sec. 356z.30a. Coverage for hearing instruments.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Hearing care professional" means a person who is a licensed hearing instrument dispenser, licensed audiologist, or a licensed physician.

"Hearing instrument" means any wearable non-disposable instrument or device designed to aid or compensate for impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments, or accessories for the instrument or device, including an ear mold but excluding batteries and cords.

"Related services" means those services necessary to assess, select, and adjust or fit the hearing instrument to ensure optimal performance, including, but not limited to: audiological exams, replacement ear molds, and repairs to the hearing instrument.

(b) An individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly shall offer, for an additional premium and subject to the insurer's standard of insurability, optional coverage or optional reimbursement for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument to augment communication.

(c) This optional coverage shall be subject to all applicable copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits for the cost of a hearing instrument for each ear, as needed, as well as related services, with a maximum for the hearing instrument and related services of no more than $2,500 per hearing instrument every 24 months.

(d) Nothing in this Section precludes an insured from selecting a hearing instrument that costs more than the amount covered by a plan of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan and paying the uncovered cost at his or her own expense.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a group policy of accident and health insurance to provide coverage if the group is unable to meet mandatory minimum participation requirements set by the insurer.

(Source: P.A. 101-393, eff. 1-1-20.)