A. A blanket or group health insurance policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance that is delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for a hearing aid and any related service for the full cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear up to two thousand two hundred dollars ($2,200) every thirty-six months for hearing aids for insured children under eighteen years of age or under twenty-one years of age if still attending high school. The insured may choose a higher priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in cost above the two-thousand-two-hundred-dollar ($2,200) limit as provided in this subsection without financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to the provider of the hearing aid.
B. An insurer that delivers, issues for delivery or renews in this state a blanket or group health insurance policy, health care plan or certificate of health insurance may make available to the policyholder the option of purchasing additional hearing aid coverage that exceeds the services described in this section.
C. Hearing aid coverage offered shall include fitting and dispensing services, including providing ear molds as necessary to maintain optimal fit, provided by an audiologist, a hearing aid dispenser or a physician, licensed in New Mexico.
D. The provisions of this section do not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified disease policies.
E. Coverage for hearing aids may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan or certificate.
F. For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" means durable medical equipment that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children.
History: Laws 2007, ch. 356, § 3.
Effective dates. — Laws 2007, ch. 356, § 6 made Laws 2007, ch. 356, § 3 effective July 1, 2007.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 23 - Group and Blanket Health Insurance Contracts
Section 59A-23-1 - Scope of article.
Section 59A-23-2 - Blanket health insurance.
Section 59A-23-3 - Group health insurance.
Section 59A-23-3.1 - Group insurance reports required.
Section 59A-23-4 - Other provisions applicable.
Section 59A-23-5 - Extended disability benefit.
Section 59A-23-6 - Alcohol dependency coverage.
Section 59A-23-6.1 - Coverage of alpha-fetoprotein IV screening test.
Section 59A-23-6.2 - Prior authorization for gynecological or obstetrical ultrasounds prohibited.
Section 59A-23-7.2 - Coverage of children.
Section 59A-23-7.3 - Maximum age of dependent.
Section 59A-23-7.4 - Coverage of circumcision for newborn males.
Section 59A-23-7.5 - Coverage of part-time employees.
Section 59A-23-7.6 - Coverage of colorectal cancer screening.
Section 59A-23-7.7 - General anesthesia and hospitalization for dental surgery.
Section 59A-23-7.8 - Hearing aid coverage for children required.
Section 59A-23-7.9 - Coverage for autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and treatment.
Section 59A-23-7.11 - Coverage of prescription eye drop refills.
Section 59A-23-7.12 - Coverage for telemedicine services.
Section 59A-23-7.13 - Prescription drugs; prohibited formulary changes; notice requirements.
Section 59A-23-7.14 - Coverage for contraception.
Section 59A-23-7.15 - Coverage exclusion. (Contingent repeal. See note.)
Section 59A-23-7.16 - Heart artery calcium scan coverage.
Section 59A-23-8 - Group formed to purchase health insurance; limitations.
Section 59A-23-10 - Employer utilization and loss data availability.
Section 59A-23-11 - Private health insurance cooperatives; incorporation.
Section 59A-23-12 - Prescription drug prior authorization protocols.
Section 59A-23-12.2 - Pharmacist prescriptive authority services; reimbursement parity.
Section 59A-23-13 - Pharmacy benefits; prescription synchronization.
Section 59A-23-14 - Provider credentialing; requirements; deadline.
Section 59A-23-15 - Physical rehabilitation services; limits on cost sharing.