As published here: https://www.childrennow.org/blog/kids-cant-wait-policymakers-take-action-to-include-hearing-aids-in-californias-new-health-insurance-benchmark/
For decades California’s kids have been experiencing a developmental emergency.
More than 20,000 California children and youth who need access to hearing aids do not have them covered by their private health insurance. In fact, only 1 in 10 families in California with private insurance have some coverage for hearing aids. That inability to access hearing aids can then have serious, long-term effects on kids, since pediatric hearing loss requires timely intervention to prevent permanent delays. Additional consequences are not only devastating for the child and family, they are costly to society. These outcomes include:
- Developmental and communication delays
- Barriers to learning and socialization with peers
- Depression and mental health issues
- Medical debt for families
- Greater public spending on special education
More than 30 states already require that private individual and group health insurance plans include coverage for children’s hearing aids and services. In fact, since 2023, several states (Alaska, North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington) have expanded hearing aid coverage. For several years, advocates and legislators in California have attempted to fix the state’s lack of adequate insurance coverage for hearing aids and join these states (most recently in 2023, SB 635 (Menjivar) was vetoed). Now, however, California is finally about to get it done.
For the past year, the Department of Managed Health Care has led a collaborative process to update the state’s “Essential Health Benefits” benchmark for 2027. That work resulted in a proposal to add hearing exams and aids for children and adults, along with other benefits like mobility devices and fertility treatments. The Children’s Movement of California aided this effort, organizing over 1,100 signatures in support of the proposal to add hearing aids.
According to legislative champion for children’s hearing aids, Senator Caroline Menjivar, “The new proposed benchmark plan means children who are hard of hearing or deaf will have coverage for the hearing aids that make a significant difference in their development and well-being.”
This past May, the state sent the proposal to the federal government for approval. Bills SB 62 and AB 224, which codify these changes, are also currently working through the legislative process.
Children Now is grateful for the strong advocacy of partners at Let California Kids Hear, California Hands & Voices, Hearing Loss Association of America, and so many others. We are also proud of our state policymakers for working together to take this important action to finally ensure children have coverage for hearing aids in California.
We look forward to implementing the new benefit in 2027, because kids can’t wait!