Dingell Introduces Legislation to Allow Medicare to Cover Hearing Aids
"Medicare provides critical health coverage to millions of beneficiaries, but there are serious gaps in coverage that exist," said Dingell. "Today an estimated 70 percent of Americans with hearing problems between the ages of 65 and 84 are not using hearing aids, often because they cannot afford them.
This can lead to isolation, depression, and as a growing number of studies have documented, the development of Alzheimer's and dementia. This legislation would address this issue by improving access to hearing aids and examinations. No one should feel isolated, confused or shutout from the world because they cannot afford the treatment they need."
"Aging is not a process which is limited to below the neck," said
Hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans and, left untreated, has serious emotional, social and medical consequences for older adults. Research has shown older adults with hearing loss are 32 percent more likely to require hospitalization, face a 24 percent increased risk for cognitive impairment and increasingly suffer from isolation and depression.
A 10-year longitudinal study of patients in
One of Dingell's top priorities is bringing the nation's long-term care system into the 21st Century. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act addresses one piece of the puzzle by improving access to hearing aids and related examinations. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on insurance programs that provide services to help with hearing loss.
The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act is cosponsored by Reps.
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