LRB-4229/1
PJK:kjf&bjk:rs
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
March 5, 2008 - Introduced by Representatives Nygren, Kramer and Vukmir.
Referred to Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform.
AB912,1,3
1An Act to create 49.471 (11r) of the statutes;
relating to: providing coverage
2of hearing aids and cochlear implants under BadgerCare Plus and granting
3rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
BadgerCare Plus (BC+) is a Medical Assistance (MA) program that was
approved in the biennial budget act. BC+, which will be administered by the
Department of Health and Family Services, provides health care benefits under two
different plans, depending on the basis for a recipient's eligibility, to recipients who
satisfy financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria. One plan provides the same
benefits that are provided under the regular MA program. The other plan, called the
Benchmark Plan, provides comprehensive benefits that are specified in the statute.
This bill provides that, beginning on January 1, 2009, BC+ will cover hearing
aids and cochlear implants for any child under the age of 18 years who is a state
resident, who has been certified as deaf or hearing impaired by a physician or a
licensed audiologist, and who: is not eligible for the BC+ plan providing the same
benefits as under the regular MA program. Those benefits include coverage for
hearing aids and cochlear implants.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB912, s. 1
1Section
1. 49.471 (11r) of the statutes is created to read:
AB912,2,52
49.471
(11r) Coverage of hearing aids and cochlear implants. (a) Beginning
3on January 1, 2009, BadgerCare Plus shall provide coverage under this subsection
4of the cost of hearing aids or cochlear implants for any individual who satisfies all
5of the following criteria:
AB912,2,66
1. The individual is a resident of this state.
AB912,2,87
2. The individual has been certified as deaf or hearing impaired by a physician
8or by an audiologist licensed under subch. II of ch. 459.
AB912,2,99
3. The individual is under the age of 18 years.
AB912,2,1110
4. The individual is not eligible under BadgerCare Plus for the benefits
11described in s. 49.46 (2) (a) and (b).
AB912,2,1312
(b) The department may promulgate rules for the administration of this
13subsection, including rules related to cost-sharing requirements.
