{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-3418.20.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-3418.20.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-3418.20.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-3418.20.html"}],"law_id":73658,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73658,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.20","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services [Not in effect]","history":"2020, c. 1094, see 2020, c. 1289, item 487, subdivs. C1, C2, and C3.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Hearing aid&#8221; 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. Hearing aids are not to be considered durable medical equipment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Related services&#8221; includes earmolds, initial batteries, and other necessary equipment, maintenance, and adaptation training.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, 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; each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for children 18 years of age or younger under any policy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth. The coverage shall include payment of the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, up to $1,500 per hearing aid. The insured may choose a higher-priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in cost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to the provider of the hearing aid.C\n\nNo insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization shall impose upon any person receiving benefits pursuant to this section any copayment or fee, and no condition may be applied to the person that is not equally imposed upon all individuals in the same benefit category.D\n\nCoverage shall be available under this section only for services and equipment recommended by an otolaryngologist. Such recommended services and equipment may be provided or dispensed by an otolaryngologist, licensed audiologist, or licensed hearing aid specialist.E\n\nThe provisions of this section shall apply to any policy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2021.F\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies, or contracts designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or federal governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":264924,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Hearing aid&#8221; 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. Hearing aids are not to be considered durable medical equipment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Related services&#8221; includes earmolds, initial batteries, and other necessary equipment, maintenance, and adaptation training.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":264925,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, 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; each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for children 18 years of age or younger under any policy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth. The coverage shall include payment of the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, up to $1,500 per hearing aid. The insured may choose a higher-priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in cost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to the provider of the hearing aid.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":264926,"text":"No insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization shall impose upon any person receiving benefits pursuant to this section any copayment or fee, and no condition may be applied to the person that is not equally imposed upon all individuals in the same benefit category.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":264927,"text":"Coverage shall be available under this section only for services and equipment recommended by an otolaryngologist. Such recommended services and equipment may be provided or dispensed by an otolaryngologist, licensed audiologist, or licensed hearing aid specialist.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":264928,"text":"The provisions of this section shall apply to any policy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2021.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":264929,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies, or contracts designed for issuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or federal governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14324,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mandated Benefits","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12993,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:45","permalink":{"id":215143,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14324,"identifier":"2","token":"38.2\/34\/2","url":"\/38.2\/34\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12993,"edition_id":1,"name":"Provisions Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance","identifier":"34","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","permalink":{"id":214887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12993,"identifier":"34","token":"38.2\/34","url":"\/38.2\/34\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87046,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3408","catch_line":"Policy providing for reimbursement for services that may be performed by certain practitioners other than physicians","url":"\/38.2-3408\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3408","metadata":false},{"id":55621,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3409","catch_line":"Coverage of dependent children","url":"\/38.2-3409\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3409","metadata":false},{"id":68501,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3410","catch_line":"Construction of policy generally; words \"physician\" and \"doctor\" to include dentist","url":"\/38.2-3410\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3410","metadata":false},{"id":76551,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411","catch_line":"Coverage of newborn children required","url":"\/38.2-3411\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411","metadata":false},{"id":71629,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.1","catch_line":"Coverage for child health supervision services","url":"\/38.2-3411.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.1","metadata":false},{"id":70694,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.2","catch_line":"Coverage of adopted children required","url":"\/38.2-3411.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.2","metadata":false},{"id":77817,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.3","catch_line":"Coverage for childhood immunizations","url":"\/38.2-3411.3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.3","metadata":false},{"id":86598,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3411.4","catch_line":"Coverage for infant hearing screening and related diagnostics","url":"\/38.2-3411.4\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3411.4","metadata":false},{"id":63024,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3412\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412","metadata":false},{"id":84153,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412.1","catch_line":"Coverage for mental health and substance use disorders","url":"\/38.2-3412.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412.1","metadata":false},{"id":75255,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3412.1:01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3412.1_01\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3412.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":67892,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3413","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3413\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3413","metadata":false},{"id":81885,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3414","catch_line":"Optional coverage for obstetrical services","url":"\/38.2-3414\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3414","metadata":false},{"id":74497,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3414.1","catch_line":"Obstetrical benefits; coverage for postpartum services","url":"\/38.2-3414.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3414.1","metadata":false},{"id":58957,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3415","catch_line":"Exclusion or reduction of benefits for certain causes prohibited","url":"\/38.2-3415\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3415","metadata":false},{"id":69898,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3416","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3416\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3416","metadata":false},{"id":59007,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3417","catch_line":"Deductibles and coinsurance options required","url":"\/38.2-3417\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3417","metadata":false},{"id":81514,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418","catch_line":"Coverage for victims of rape or incest","url":"\/38.2-3418\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418","metadata":false},{"id":85746,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1","catch_line":"Coverage for mammograms","url":"\/38.2-3418.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1","metadata":false},{"id":86304,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.10","catch_line":"Coverage for diabetes","url":"\/38.2-3418.10\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.10","metadata":false},{"id":87414,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.11","catch_line":"Coverage for hospice care","url":"\/38.2-3418.11\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.11","metadata":false},{"id":81464,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.12","catch_line":"Coverage for hospitalization and anesthesia for dental procedures","url":"\/38.2-3418.12\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.12","metadata":false},{"id":82972,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.13","catch_line":"Coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity","url":"\/38.2-3418.13\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.13","metadata":false},{"id":85731,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.14","catch_line":"Coverage for lymphedema","url":"\/38.2-3418.14\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.14","metadata":false},{"id":71964,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.15","catch_line":"Coverage for prosthetic devices and components","url":"\/38.2-3418.15\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.15","metadata":false},{"id":57543,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.15:1","catch_line":"Coverage for prosthetic devices and components","url":"\/38.2-3418.15_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.15_1","metadata":false},{"id":61286,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.16","catch_line":"Coverage for telemedicine services","url":"\/38.2-3418.16\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.16","metadata":false},{"id":81144,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.17","catch_line":"Coverage for autism spectrum disorder","url":"\/38.2-3418.17\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.17","metadata":false},{"id":60567,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.18","catch_line":"Coverage for formula and enteral nutrition products as medicine","url":"\/38.2-3418.18\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.18","metadata":false},{"id":79176,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.19","catch_line":"Coverage for organ, eye or tissue transplant","url":"\/38.2-3418.19\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.19","metadata":false},{"id":69963,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":72277,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:2","catch_line":"Coverage for pap smears","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":64216,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.1:3","catch_line":"Cost sharing for breast examinations","url":"\/38.2-3418.1_3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":80233,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.2","catch_line":"Coverage of procedures involving bones and joints","url":"\/38.2-3418.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.2","metadata":false},{"id":73658,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.20","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services [Not in effect]","url":"\/38.2-3418.20\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.20","metadata":false},{"id":76455,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.21","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services","url":"\/38.2-3418.21\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.21","metadata":false},{"id":67690,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.22","catch_line":"Coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome","url":"\/38.2-3418.22\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.22","metadata":false},{"id":79724,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.3","catch_line":"Coverage for hemophilia and congenital bleeding disorders","url":"\/38.2-3418.3\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.3","metadata":false},{"id":86337,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.4","catch_line":"Coverage for reconstructive breast surgery; notice; eligibility","url":"\/38.2-3418.4\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.4","metadata":false},{"id":87401,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.5","catch_line":"Coverage for early intervention services","url":"\/38.2-3418.5\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.5","metadata":false},{"id":61674,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.6","catch_line":"Minimum hospital stay for mastectomy and certain lymph node dissection patients","url":"\/38.2-3418.6\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.6","metadata":false},{"id":71759,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.7","catch_line":"Coverage for prostate cancer screening","url":"\/38.2-3418.7\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.7","metadata":false},{"id":62197,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.7:1","catch_line":"Coverage for colorectal cancer screening","url":"\/38.2-3418.7_1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":63576,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.8","catch_line":"Coverage for clinical trials for treatment studies on cancer","url":"\/38.2-3418.8\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.8","metadata":false},{"id":72556,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.9","catch_line":"Minimum hospital stay for hysterectomy","url":"\/38.2-3418.9\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.9","metadata":false},{"id":66144,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3419","catch_line":"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder","url":"\/38.2-3419\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3419","metadata":false},{"id":57559,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3419.1","catch_line":"Report of costs and utilization of mandated benefits","url":"\/38.2-3419.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3419.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80233,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.2","catch_line":"Coverage of procedures involving bones and joints","url":"\/38.2-3418.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76455,"structure_id":14324,"section_number":"38.2-3418.21","catch_line":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services","url":"\/38.2-3418.21\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.21","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-3418.20\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1094\">1094<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66144,"section_number":"38.2-3419","catch_line":"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3419\/"}],"permalink":{"id":215281,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73658,"identifier":"38.2-3418.20","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.20","url":"\/38.2-3418.20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-3418.20\/","token":"38.2\/34\/2\/38.2-3418.20","dublin_core":{"Title":"Coverage for hearing aids and related services [Not in effect]","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-3418.20","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Hearing aid<\/span>&#8221; means any wearable, nondisposable instrument or device designed or offered to aid or compensate for impaired human hearing and any parts, <span class=\"dictionary\">attachments<\/span>, or accessories, including earmolds, but excluding batteries and cords. <span class=\"dictionary\">Hearing aids<\/span> are not to be considered durable medical equipment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Related services<\/span>&#8221; includes earmolds, initial batteries, and other necessary equipment, maintenance, and adaptation training. <a id=\"paragraph-264924\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Additional mandated coverage made optional to group policy or contract holder\" href=\"\/38.2-3419\/\">38.2-3419<\/a>, each <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> proposing to <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> individual or group accident and sickness <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance policies<\/span> providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span>; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall provide coverage for <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aids<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">related services<\/span> for children 18 years of age or younger under any policy, <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth. The coverage shall include payment of the cost of one <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aid<\/span> per hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, up to $1,500 per <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aid<\/span>. The insured may choose a higher-priced <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aid<\/span> and may pay the difference in cost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> to the insured or to the provider of the <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aid<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-264925\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> No <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span>, corporation, or health maintenance organization shall impose upon any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> receiving benefits pursuant to this section any copayment or fee, and no condition may be applied to the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> that is not equally imposed upon all individuals in the same benefit category. <a id=\"paragraph-264926\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Coverage shall be available under this section only for services and equipment recommended by an otolaryngologist. Such recommended services and equipment may be provided or dispensed by an otolaryngologist, licensed audiologist, or licensed <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing aid<\/span> specialist. <a id=\"paragraph-264927\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall apply to any policy, <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2021. <a id=\"paragraph-264928\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease policies, or <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span> designed for issuance to <span class=\"dictionary\">persons<\/span> eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, known as <span class=\"dictionary\">Medicare<\/span>, or any other similar coverage under <span class=\"dictionary\">state<\/span> or federal governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more than six months&#8217; duration. <a id=\"paragraph-264929\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3418.20\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS AND RELATED SERVICES [NOT IN EFFECT] (\u00a7 38.2-3418.20)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Hearing aid&#8221; means any wearable, nondisposable instrument or\ndevice designed or offered to aid or compensate for impaired human hearing and\nany parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds, but excluding\nbatteries and cords. Hearing aids are not to be considered durable medical\nequipment.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Related services&#8221; includes earmolds, initial batteries, and\nother necessary equipment, maintenance, and adaptation training.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 38.2-3419, each insurer proposing to\nissue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing\nhospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred\nbasis; each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness\nsubscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a\nhealth care plan for health care services shall provide coverage for hearing\naids and related services for children 18 years of age or younger under any\npolicy, contract, or plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the\nCommonwealth. The coverage shall include payment of the cost of one hearing aid\nper hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, up to $1,500 per hearing aid. The\ninsured may choose a higher-priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in\ncost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to\nthe provider of the hearing aid.\n\nC. No insurer, corporation, or health maintenance organization shall impose upon\nany person receiving benefits pursuant to this section any copayment or fee, and\nno condition may be applied to the person that is not equally imposed upon all\nindividuals in the same benefit category.\n\nD. Coverage shall be available under this section only for services and\nequipment recommended by an otolaryngologist. Such recommended services and\nequipment may be provided or dispensed by an otolaryngologist, licensed\naudiologist, or licensed hearing aid specialist.\n\nE. The provisions of this section shall apply to any policy, contract, or plan\ndelivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on and after\nJanuary 1, 2021.\n\nF. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel,\naccident-only, limited or specified disease policies, or contracts designed for\nissuance to persons eligible for coverage under Title XVIII of the Social\nSecurity Act, known as Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or\nfederal governmental plans or to short-term nonrenewable policies of not more\nthan six months&#8217; duration.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 1094, see 2020, c. 1289, item 487, subdivs. C1, C2, and C3.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}