H.B. No. 5009
AN ACT CONCERNING WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

To expand or require health insurance coverage for ostomy-related supplies, prosthetic devices, hearing aids for children, wigs for patients who suffer hair loss due to certain medical conditions, and bone marrow testing; to prohibit the imposition of a coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense for any additional colonoscopy ordered in a policy year by a physician for an insured; to promote health behavior wellness, maintenance or improvement program participation by requiring insurers to offer such programs, and to require an incentive or reward for such participation.

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The Insurance and Real Estate Committee voted joint favorably on H.B. 5009 AAC Wellness Programs and Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage. This bill will now go to the Legislative Commissioner’s Office and the Office of Fiscal Analysis. It will come out as a file copy that will contain a fiscal analysis and a bill summary.

The Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3024)

Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) has introduced the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3024- the Direct Access bill) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation was introduced with 13 original co-sponsors. The bipartisan legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. Currently, Medicare requires that beneficiaries with hearing loss or balance disorders obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist.

Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act (H.R. 1646, S. 1019)

Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), along with 37 original co-sponsors, introduced the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act (H.R. 1646) in the House of Representatives. This legislation provides a tax credit of up to $500 towards the purchase of a hearing aid, available once every five years. The tax credit would be available to those individuals age 55 years and older, dependents of taxpayers, or taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is below $200,000. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the Senate version of this bill (S. 1019). This version differs from the House bill in that it extends the tax credit to all individuals with no restrictions based on age or income.