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Hearing on Hearing
Bill would require insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for kids.
Reporter: Brock BergeyEmail Address: bbergey@nbc15.com |
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6 Comments 
Posted Wednesday --- February 27, 2008 -- 6:00pm
Lawmakers consider a bill that would require insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for children.
Little Manny can hear his mother because of a special headband he wears.
"He was born without ears, without open ear canals," says Tiffany Wilke. "It's completely closed."
Manny's hearing device is not cheap. It set the Wilkes back $5,000. They received no help from their insurance provider.
"It's like a pacemaker, (it) keeps the heart going, says Tiffany. "This keeps the ears going. You wouldn't think twice if a pacemaker is covered or not."
According to Wisconsin Hands and Voices, a survey found 54% of parents, with hearing impaired children, have insurance policies that exclude hearing aids. The average one time out-of-pocket expense is more than $4,000.
"It really angers me as a parent," says Alicia Boehme.
Her son, Oliver, is hard of hearing. The 18-month-old needs hearing aids. While the Boehmes' insurance covers a portion of the costs. Alicia says it's not enough.
"When you look at the cost benefit, it makes sense," she says. "It makes common sense to cover this cost."
But, opponents say a state mandate isn't the answer.
A spokesperson for Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce says only 30% of state residents have commercial insurance.
"Creating a new state health care insurance mandate can be a tempting way to extend a benefit, in this case, deaf kids, without having to pay to provide that benefit," says RJ Pirlot.
The Assembly Committee on Insurance heard hours of testimony, Wednesday, in two languages (spoken English and sign language).
If parents like Alicia and Tiffany get their way, hearing aids and cochlear implants will be paid for by insurance companies until their kids turn 12.
"We are committed to getting something passed to help our kids," says Alicia.
"Every child should have that right," says Tiffany. "Hearing is not a privilege, it's a right."
Wednesday's public hearing lasted more than six hours.
The Assembly Insurance Committee is set to vote on the bill Tuesday.
Latest Comments
I think the insurance hearing aid mandate should cover all ages. I wear a bone conduction aid and have to pay for them myself at great expense. Like 1000 plus.
Thank you for the media coverage, every little bit helps! Unfortunately the assembly members have been terribly uneducated and no help in the matter. In attempts by University faculty to educate them, our information was not good enough and they demanded more specific resources...it's funny they can do that, yet they do not even know that a cochlear implant is NOT a hearing aid and that all children who receive implants have NO benefit from hearing aids. Such ignorance representing our state.
As usual Brock, you did a great job of telling a story that needed to be told. Hopefully, the insurance companies and legislators actually paid attention!
