SB 1003 — Health insurance; mandated coverage for hearing aids for minors.

SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY ––-- 2023 SESSION CHAPTER E473 An Act to amend and reenact § 38.2-4319, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, of relatingthe toCode healthof insuranceVirginia coverageand forto hearingamend aidsthe forCode childrenof 18Virginia yearsby ofadding agea orsection younger.1,numbered O38.2-3418.21, [Srelating 1003]to Lhealth Approvedinsurance Lcoverage Befor ithearing enactedaids byfor thechildren General18 Assemblyyears of Virginia:age or younger.

E[S 1.1003] Approved March 24, 2023 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

That1. § 38.2-4319, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, of the Code oD numbered 38.2-3418.21 as follows:

That § 38.2-4319, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section §numbered 38.2-3418.21.38.2-3418.21 as follows:

§ 38.2-3418.21.

"Hearing aid" means any wearable, nondisposable instrument or device designed or offered to aid or compensate for impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds, but excluding batteries and cords.

"Related services" includes earmolds, initial batteries, and other necessary equipment, mainBenance,maintenance, and adaptation training.

0B. provision of law, each insurer proposing to issue individual or group accident and sickness ins3rance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis;

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-3419, subdivision A 1 of § 38.2-6506, or any other provision of law, each insurer proposing to issue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis;

The insured may choose a higher-priced hearing aid and may providerpay of the hearingdifference aid.bovein cost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to the C.provider of the hearing aid.

C.

The provisions of this section shall apply to any policy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delF.delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2024.

F.

The Commission shall not use any special fund revenues dedicated to its other functions and duties, including revenues from utility consumer taxes or fees from licensees regulated by the Commission or fees paid to the office of the clerk of the Commission, to fund the defrayal of costs for provision.the coverage provided pursuant to subsection B as required by 42 U.S.C.

§ 18031 or any successor provision.

No provisions of this title except this chapter and, insofar as they are not inconsistent with this chapter, §§ 38.2-100, 38.2-136, 38.2-200, 38.2-203, 38.2-209 through 38.2-213, 38.2-216, 38.2-218 through 38.2-225, 38.2-229, 38.2-232, 38.2-305, 38.2-316, 38.2-316.1, 38.2-322, 38.2-325, 38.2-326, 38.2-400, 38.2-402 through 38.2-413, 38.2-500 through 38.2-515, 38.2-600 through 38.2-629, Chapter 9 (§ 38.2-900 et seq.), §§ 38.2-1016.1 through 38.2-1023, 38.2-1057, and 38.2-1306.1, Article 2 (§ 38.2-1306.2 et seq.), § 38.2-1315.1, and Articles 3.1 (§ 38.2-1316.1 et seq.), 4 (§ 38.2-1317 et seq.), 5 (§ 38.2-1322 et seq.), 5.1 (§ 38.2-1334.3 et seq.), and 5.2 (§ 38.2-1334.11 et seq.) of Chapter 13, of 3 Articles 1 (§ 38.2-1400 et seq.), 2 (§ 38.2-1412 et seq.), and 4 (§ 38.2-1446 et seq.

) of Chapter 14, Chapter 15 (§ 38.2-1500 et seq.), Chapter 17 (§ 38.2-1700 et seq.), §§ 38.2-1800 through 38.2-1836, of 3 38.2-3401, 38.2-3405, 38.2-3405.1, 38.2-3406.1, 38.2-3407.2 through 38.2-3407.6:1, 38.2-3407.9 through 38.2-3407.20, 38.2-3411, 38.2-3411.2, 38.2-3411.3, 38.2-3411.4, 38.2-3412.1, 38.2-3414.1, 38.2-3418.1 through 38.2-3418.19, 38.2-3418.21, 38.2-3419.1, and 38.2-3430.1 through 38.2-3454, Articles 8 (§ 38.2-3461 et seq.) and 9 (§ 38.2-3465 et seq.) of Chapter 34, § 38.2-3500, subdivision 13 of § 38.2-3503, subdivision 8 of § 38.2-3504, §§ 38.2-3514.1, 38.2-3514.2, 38.2-3522.1 through 38.2-3523.4, 38.2-3525, 38.2-3540.1, 38.2-3540.2, 38.2-3541.2, 38.2-3542, and 38.2-3543.2, Article 5 (§ 38.2-3551 et seq.) of Chapter 35, Chapter 35.1 (§ 38.2-3556 et seq.), § 38.2-3610, Chapter 52 (§ 38.2-5200 et seq.), Chapter 55 (§ 38.2-5500 et seq.), Chapter 58 (§ 38.2-5800 et seq.) and Chapter 65 (§ 38.2-6500 et seq.) shall be applicable to any health maintenance organization granted a license under this chapter.

) of Chapter 14, Chapter 15 (§ 38.2-1500 et seq.), Chapter 17 (§ 38.2-1700 et seq.), §§ 38.2-1800 through 38.2-1836, 38.2-3401, 38.2-3405, 38.2-3405.1, 38.2-3406.1, 38.2-3407.2 through 38.2-3407.6:1, 38.2-3407.9 through 38.2-3407.20, 38.2-3411, 38.2-3411.2, 38.2-3411.3, 38.2-3411.4, 38.2-3412.1, 38.2-3414.1, 38.2-3418.1 through 38.2-3418.19, 38.2-3418.21, 38.2-3419.1, and 38.2-3430.1 through 38.2-3454, Articles 8 (§ 38.2-3461 et seq.) and 9 (§ 38.2-3465 et seq.) of Chapter 34, § 38.2-3500, subdivision 13 of of 3 § 38.2-3503, subdivision 8 of § 38.2-3504, §§ 38.2-3514.1, 38.2-3514.2, 38.2-3522.1 through 38.2-3523.4, 38.2-3525, 38.2-3540.1, 38.2-3540.2, 38.2-3541.2, 38.2-3542, and 38.2-3543.2, ArtiEleArticle 5 (§ 38.2-3551 et seq.) of Chapter 35, Chapter 35.1 (§ 38.2-3556 et seq.), § 38.2-3610, Chapter 52 (§ 38.2-5200 et seq.), Chapter 55 (§ 38.2-5500 et seq.), Chapter 58 (§ 38.2-5800 et seq.), Chapter 65 (§ 38.2-6500 et seq.), and Chapter 66 (§ 38.2-6600 et seq.) shall be applicable to any health maintenance of 3 organization granted a license under this chapter.

This chapter shall not apply to an insurer or health services plan licensed and regulated in conformance with the insurance laws or Chapter 42 (§ 38O2-4200 et seq.) except with respect to the activities of its health maintenance organization.

L B.

For plans administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services that provide benefits except this chapter and, insofar as they are not inconsistent with this chapter, §§ 38.2-100, 38.2-136, 38.2-200, 38.2-203, 38.2-209 through 38.2-213, 38.2-216, 38.2-218 through 38.2-225, 38.2-229, E 38.2-232, 38.2-322, 38.2-325, 38.2-400, 38.2-402 through 38.2-413, 38.2-500 through 38.2-515, and 38.2-600 through 38.2-629, Chapter 9 (§ 38.2-900 et seq.), §§ 38.2-1016.1 through 38.2-1023, 38.2-1057, and 38.2-1306.1, Article 2 (§ 38.2-1306.2 et seq.), § 38.2-1315.1, Articles 3.1 (§ 38.2-1316.1 et seq.), 4 (§ 38.2-1317 et seq.), 5 (§ 38.2-1322 et seq.), 5.1 (§ 38.2-1334.3 et seq.), and 5.2 (§ 38.2-1334.11 et of Chapter 14, §§ 38.2-3401, 38.2-3405, 38.2-3407.2 through 38.2-3407.5, 38.2-3407.6, 38.2-3407.6:1,t seq.) 38.2-3407.9, 38.2-3407.9:01, and 38.2-3407.9:02, subdivisions F 1, 2, and 3 of § 38.2-3407.10, §§ 38.2-3407.10:1, 38.2-3407.11, 38.2-3407.11:3, 38.2-3407.13, 38.2-3407.13:1, 38.2-3407.14, 38.2-3411.2, 38.2-3418.1, 38.2-3418.2, 38.2-3418.16, 38.2-3419.1, 38.2-3430.1 through 38.2-3437S and 38.2-3500, subdivision 13 of § 38.2-3503, subdivision 8 of § 38.2-3504, §§ 38.2-3514.1, 38.2-3514.2, 38.2-3522.1 through 38.2-3523.4, 38.2-3525, 38.2-3540.1, 38.2-3540.2, 38.2-3541.2, 38.2-3542, and et seq.), and Chapter 65 (§ 38.2-6500 et seq.) shall be applicable to any health maintenance organization granted a license under this chapter.

B.

For plans administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services that provide benefits pursuant to Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended, no provisions of this title except this chapter and, insofar as they are not inconsistent with this chapter, §§ 38.2-100, 38.2-136, 38.2-200, 38.2-203, 38.2-209 through 38.2-213, 38.2-216, 38.2-218 through 38.2-225, 38.2-229, 38.2-232, 38.2-322, 38.2-325, 38.2-400, 38.2-402 through 38.2-413, 38.2-500 through 38.2-515, and 38.2-600 through 38.2-629, Chapter 9 (§ 38.2-900 et seq.), §§ 38.2-1016.1 through 38.2-1023, 38.2-1057, and 38.2-1306.1, Article 2 (§ 38.2-1306.2 et seq.), § 38.2-1315.1, Articles 3.1 (§ 38.2-1316.1 et seq.), 4 (§ 38.2-1317 et seq.), 5 (§ 38.2-1322 et seq.), 5.1 (§ 38.2-1334.3 et seq.), and 5.2 (§ 38.2-1334.11 et seq.) of Chapter 13, Articles 1 (§ 38.2-1400 et seq.), 2 (§ 38.2-1412 et seq.), and 4 (§ 38.2-1446 et seq.) of Chapter 14, §§ 38.2-3401, 38.2-3405, 38.2-3407.2 through 38.2-3407.5, 38.2-3407.6, 38.2-3407.6:1, 38.2-3407.9, 38.2-3407.9:01, and 38.2-3407.9:02, subdivisions F 1, 2, and 3 of § 38.2-3407.10, §§ 38.2-3407.10:1, 38.2-3407.11, 38.2-3407.11:3, 38.2-3407.13, 38.2-3407.13:1, 38.2-3407.14, 38.2-3411.2, 38.2-3418.1, 38.2-3418.2, 38.2-3418.16, 38.2-3419.1, 38.2-3430.1 through 38.2-3437, and 38.2-3500, subdivision 13 of § 38.2-3503, subdivision 8 of § 38.2-3504, §§ 38.2-3514.1, 38.2-3514.2, 38.2-3522.1 through 38.2-3523.4, 38.2-3525, 38.2-3540.1, 38.2-3540.2, 38.2-3541.2, 38.2-3542, and 38.2-3543.2, Chapter 52 (§ 38.2-5200 et seq.), Chapter 55 (§ 38.2-5500 et seq.), Chapter 58 (§ 38.2-5800 et seq.), and Chapter 65 (§ 38.2-6500 et seq.) shall be applicable to any health maintenance organization granted a license under this chapter.

This chapter shall not apply to an insurer or health services plan licensed and regulated in conformance with the insurance laws or Chapter 42 (§ 38.2-4200 et seq.) except with respect to the activities of its health maintenance organization.

practiceD. of medicine.

A licensed health maintenance organization shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unlawful practice of medicine.

BF. shall be construed to mean and include "health maintenance organizations" unless the section cited and clearly applies to health maintenance organizations without such construction.

For purposes of applying this section, "insurer" when used in a section cited in subsections A and B shall be construed to mean and include "health maintenance organizations" unless the section cited clearly applies to health maintenance organizations without such construction.