A Senate committee Wednesday approved a proposal that would require individual health-insurance policies to cover the costs of hearing aids for children who have been diagnosed with hearing loss.
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved the measure (SB 1268), sponsored by Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican.
It would require minimum coverage of $3,500 per ear over 24-month periods. It would take effect Jan. 1 and apply to individual policies, not group or employer-sponsored coverage.
Baxley said that children being able to hear “changes their whole life.” Rep. Chuck Brannan, a Macclenny Republican, has filed a similar bill (HB 373) in the House.