Providing coverage for hearing care under the Medicare program

(a)

Provision of aural rehabilitation and treatment services by qualified audiologists

Section 1861(ll)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ll)(3)) is amended by inserting (and, beginning January 1, 2022, such aural rehabilitation and treatment services) after assessment. (b)

Coverage of hearing aids

(1)

Inclusion of hearing aids as prosthetic devices

Section 1861(s)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(8)) is amended by inserting , and including hearing aids before the semicolon at the end. (2)

Payment limitations for hearing aids

Section 1834(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

Limitations for hearing aids

Payment may be made under this part with respect to an individual, with respect to hearing aids— (A)not more than once during any 5-year period; (B)only if such individual has been diagnosed with profound or severe hearing loss in one or both ears; (C)only for types of such hearing aids that are not over-the-counter hearing aids (as defined in section 520(q)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) and that are determined appropriate by the Secretary; and (D)only if furnished pursuant to a written order of a doctor or qualified audiologist (as described in section 1861(ll)(5)).

(3)

Application of competitive acquisition

(A)

In general

Section 1834(h)(1)(H) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)(1)(H)) is amended— (i)in the header, by inserting

and hearing aids

before the semicolon; (ii)by inserting and of hearing aids described in paragraph (2)(D) of such section, after 2009,; and (iii)in clause (i), by inserting or such hearing aids after such orthotics. (B)

Conforming amendment

(i)

In general

Section 1847(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D)

Hearing aids

Hearing aids for which payment would otherwise be made under section 1834(h).

(ii)

Exemption of certain items from competitive acquisition

Section 1847(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)(7)), as amended by section 2(f)(2), is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Certain hearing aids

Those items and services described in paragraph (2)(D) if furnished by a physician or other practitioner (as defined by the Secretary) to the physician’s or practitioner’s own patients as part of the physician’s or practitioner’s professional service.

(c)

Exclusion modification

Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7)) is amended— (1)by striking hearing aids or examinations therefor, or; and (2)by inserting , or, with respect to items and services furnished before January 1, 2022, hearing aids or examinations therefor before the semicolon.