Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill into law that will create a hearing aid program for low-income adults.
The bill, SF0057 – Wyoming adult hearing aid program, creates a hearing aid program for eligible low-income adults with hearing impairment. The bill emerged from meetings bill sponsor Senator Dan Furphy had with members of the Wyoming deaf community, according to a release from the governor. It allows severely hearing-impaired adults who meet income requirements to receive a pair of custom hearing aids.
Subject to available state funding, the Wyoming Department of Health will provide hearing aids for eligible adults, according to text from the bill. To be determined eligible to receive hearing aids, a person shall not be eligible to receive hearing aids through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or any other available third‑party payor.
According to the bill, an adult eligible for services under this article shall receive:
- Up to one hearing aid per ear at a cost of not more than the rate paid for hearing aids under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act and including hearing aid insurance for loss or damage.
- A hearing aid fitting at a cost of not more than the rate paid under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.
- An initial set of ear molds at a cost of not more than the rate paid under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.
Further reading: New Bill Seeks to Clarify Fully Implanted Hearing Devices Are Not Hearing Aids
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