415:18-u Coverage for Hearing Aids. –
Each insurer that issues or renews any policy or certificate for delivery in this state of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide coverage for the professional services associated with the practice of fitting, dispensing, servicing, or sale of hearing instruments or hearing aids by a hearing instrument dispenser or other hearing care professional. The benefits included in this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or coinsurance or copay than any other benefits provided by the insurer. Insurers are required to cover the cost of a hearing aid for each ear, as needed, as well as related services necessary to assess, select, and fit the hearing aid with a maximum for the hearing aid and related services of no less than $1,500 per hearing aid every 60 months. The insured may choose a higher price hearing aid and pay the difference in cost. The hearing aid shall be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Notwithstanding any provision of law or rule to the contrary, the coverage under this section shall not apply to the medical assistance program, pursuant to RSA 161 and RSA 167. In this section:
I. "Hearing care professional" means a person who is a licensed audiologist, a licensed hearing instrument dispenser, or a licensed physician.
II. "Hearing instrument" or "hearing aid" means any instrument or device designed, intended, or offered for the purpose of improving a person's hearing and any parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds. Batteries, cords, and individual or group auditory training devices and any instrument or device used by a public utility in providing telephone or other communication services are excluded.
III. "Hearing instrument dispenser" means a person who is a hearing care professional that engages in the selling, practice of fitting, selecting, recommending, dispensing, or servicing of hearing instruments or the testing for means of hearing instrument selection or who advertises or displays a sign or represents himself or herself as a person who practices the testing, fitting, selecting, servicing, dispensing, or selling of hearing instruments.
IV. "Practice of fitting, dispensing, servicing, or sale of hearing instruments" means the measurement of human hearing with an audiometer, calibrated to the current American National Standard Institute standards, for the purpose of making selections, recommendations, adoptions, services, or sales of hearing instruments including the making of earmolds as a part of the hearing instrument.