There is help paying for your child’s hearing aids. California has the Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program. It will cover a variety of different types of hearing aids for children who are under 20 years of age. The program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services.
To be eligible for the hearing aid assistance program
- The individual must be under 20 years of age
- Be a California resident
- Have a household income under 600% of the federal poverty level
- Not enrolled in Medi-Cal
- Not enrolled in California Children’s Services for a hearing-related condition
- A private health plan that either does not cover hearing aids or limits coverage to $1,500
The program reimburses the providers who diagnose the hearing problem and supply the hearing aid. The Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) website has a list of approved providers. However, other providers and audiologists can participate in the program if they apply. If the provider is already a Medi-Cal provider, they can submit the claims as they normally would through Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. HACCP reimburses the providers not the parents or legal guardians of the child.
The program will cover
- Hearing aids, assisted listening devices and surface-worn bone conduction hearing devices
- Supplies including ear molds and hearing aid batteries
- Hearing aid related audiology and post-evaluation services
There are forms and documents that must be submitted before the HACCP will pay for the hearing aids
- Hearing prescription from an otolaryngologist or attending physician
- Signed medical history and physical exam by an otolaryngologist
- Signed audiological report and hearing aid evaluation
- Specifications of ear to be fitted
The goal of the program is not to have parents or legal guardians have to pay out-of-pocket for covered services and hearing aids. However, if the family has other insurance, the provider must bill that health plan first, which may require some initial costs by the family. After the private health plan has paid their share, HACCP will supplement the remaining costs.
Parents or legal guardians must check their health plans coverage. Coverage for hearing exams, tests, and aids is outlined in the either the Evidence of Coverage or Member Agreement.
Some health plans are including a note to plan members that they should contact HACCP to see if they are eligible for the hearing aid assistance program for their children.
Enrollment can be done online or with a paper application. You will need to supply verification of income to be approved. You will also need to supply evidence of your current health insurance and hearing aid prescription or provider referral. There is an appeal process if coverage is denied, and you believe the program did not understand the documentation you supplied.
Hearing Aid Childrens Assistance Program
