Child Hearing Aid Coverage Facts

· Hearing loss is among the most prevalent sensory defects screened for at birth in America affecting 1.4 per 1000 babies each year.[1] According to 2017 EHDI-M data, approximately 54 infants born in Mississippi were documented as being diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. [2]

· While Medicaid covers the cost of hearing aids for children who qualify, many families who make slightly over the federal poverty level fall through the cracks of the system.

· Hearing aids can cost upwards of $6,000 per pair and typically must be replaced every 3-5 years. This is an expense of over $40K by the time a child reaches age 21. Only 16% of parents surveyed were able to secure some level of hearing aid coverage through private health insurance.[3]

· If a child required bilateral hearing aids every 3-5 years, and insurance provided coverage at the current MS Medicaid reimbursement rate through the age of 21, the estimated total cost to insurance would be approximately $16,000-$25,600 per child.

· Without access to clear sound, these children fall behind drastically in terms of literacy and language development, academics, and ultimately the ability to contribute as productive citizens. [4]

· Children who do not receive early intervention for hearing loss cost schools an additional $420K and are faced with overall lifetime costs of $1 million in special education, lost wages, and health complications.[5]

· However, with appropriate early intervention, children with hearing loss can be mainstreamed in regular elementary and secondary education classrooms offsetting the above costs.

· There is a documented correlation between untreated hearing loss and unemployment.[6]

· Untreated hearing loss results in a loss of household income of up to $30K per year, and this has a negative economic impact due to unrealized taxes.[7]

References

[1] CDC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) 2009 Survey. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/research.html.

[2] EHDI-M Data Summary. 2017. https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/41,0,174,835.html

[3] AG Bell Volta Voices March/April 2002.

[4] Kochkin S, et al. Are 1 Million Dependents with Hearing Loss in America Being Left Behind? Hearing Review. September 2007: pp. 1-2, 4-6, 9-11.

[5] White, Karl R and Maxon, Antonia B. Universal screening for infant hearing impairment: simple, beneficial, and presently justified.

[6] Kochkin S, et al. The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Household Income May 2007: p2, 6, 11.

[7] Better Hearing Institute. Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit

Barbara Jacobson presents at Conference

Barbara Jacobson, PhD, CCC-SLP is the ASHA Vice President for Standards & Ethics in Speech-Language Pathology. She will present an unopposed presentation on Ethics during our 2019 Conference. MSHA is aware that Standard VIII will require one hour of Ethics education for certification maintenance starting in 2020. 

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MSHA Takes Stand Against UHC Policy

The Healthcare Committee of the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association took a stand against a policy of United Health Care. The result was a reversal of policy.

United Health Care, a managed care company administrating Medicaid funds in Mississippi, adopted a narrow definition of 
“medical necessity.” The result was denial of speech and hearing services to almost all children ages 0-21 seeking help.

The committee’s efforts included initiating an email thread to discuss talking points, studying the Medicaid Administrative code to determine what should be approved or denied, urging parents to contest denials, and setting up conferences with decision makers.

United Health Care officials provided guidance.  Policy makers at Division of Medicaid were attentive to our needs. The result of the collaboration was to postpone the prior authorization of services by UHC until 2019.

Speech-language pathologists spoke and policy makers listened, resulting in preservation of services for Mississippi children. 

Jeffalyn Trammell
MSHA VP of Healthcare