News & Events
MAA Position Statement on HR 52: Act to Provide Access to Hearing Aids for Children
1. The MAA is unified in our support of providing hearing aid assistance to hearing impaired infants, children and young adults in the state of Massachusetts as outlined in this bill.
2. We have learned, however, from the hearing aid assistance experience of our sister states (RI, ME, NH & CT) , that in some cases, due to the language of their mandates, the very population the bills are intended to assist end up with less than expected or no services at all. We in Massachusetts want this bill to have its desired effect of increased affordability and access to hearing aids and associated services, and not become a mandate which is circumvented by 3rd party payers due to loopholes in the language of the bill.
3. Therefore, as the audiologists who will be providing services according to this bill, we ask that the bill address the following 3 issues:
A. That all hearing loss, regardless of its cause, be covered. To accomplish this, the language of the bill must include the phrase: “all children with hearing impairment are covered for hearing aid services regardless of the etiology of hearing loss”.
B. That the reimbursement paid by insurance companies to providers be $2000 per hearing aid, $4000 for both ears for hearing aids and services. The dispensing audiologist is allowed to balance bill for parties choosing more expensive technology. The parents must have the freedom to choose higher technology for their children should they want to pay the difference.
Improving this wording is necessary to avoid serious problems experienced by our sister states. Insurance companies have applied unreasonably inadequate “usual and customary” reimbursement rates. Providers have had to opt out of being providers to avoid bankruptcy, thereby decreasing access to services. This has deprived children of services in other states.
C. That if there is a deductible on the insurance policy, that the deductible be waived in regard to hearing aids. In other words the full amount of $2000 per hearing aid per ear must be paid by the insurance company.
D. Mail order hearing aids /internet sales of hearing aids are deemed unethical by the American Academy of Audiology. MAA is concerned that there are no loopholes in this bill to allow mail order/internet purchase of hearing aids for children. Sales of this nature do not ensure that children receive appropriate fitting, verification and follow up procedures as outlined in the American Academy of Audiology’s ethical guidelines of procedure and practice.
E. Be sure that there are no sunset clauses written into HR 52.
SUMMARY: We are in complete support of the parents of the state of Massachusetts and all supporters of this bill. MAA asks that the language of the bill be strengthened so it truly achieves the goal of improved access to hearing aids for children.
MAA Legislative Updates, April 25th 2012
The Massachusetts Academy of Audiology has been very active on legislative issues affecting our profession and the children and adults we serve. We recently engaged the lobbying firm of Lynch and Fierro to guide our efforts. Many of you may know Patricia Lynch and Benjamin Fierro from their past work with MSHA. In the few weeks since we hired them they have facilitated contacts and productive meetings with key committee chairs and legislators regarding HB3903, the physician hearing aid bill. Ben was at our open house at AAA when Consumer Affairs Committee Chair State Senator Thomas Kennedy stopped by for an informal meeting. Patricia accompanied us to a second meeting with Senator Kennedy that was arranged by the Massachusetts Hearing Society. She also facilitated a meeting with the other committee Chair Representative Theodore Spiliotis.
Currently HB 3903, the physician hearing aid bill, has been extended in Committee until May 2. We are not asking you to contact legislators at the present time because it has not left the committee. Once the Committee releases the bill we will let you know the outcome so we can act on it as needed.
HR52 Hearing Aid Coverage for Children has received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. It is attached as an amendment to the budget and has been sent to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. It is very unlikely that this will be added to the budget as a new mandated benefit. Lynch and Fierro will follow it closely for us. We are in favor of this bill with amendments that strengthen the language to avoid coverage and payment problems encountered in other states. Please see the MAA website for more information.
Please support our lobbying efforts by sending a contribution to our Political Action Committee. It is critical that we continue these activities to be effective. Checks (not corporate) can be made out to Massachusetts Academy of Audiology and sent to MAA, PO Box 513, North Easton, MA 02356. You can also contribute via PayPal under the “MAA Membership” tab at the bottom right corner labeled “Make a Difference.”
Open House at AAA
Here are some photos from this year’s Open House
New England State Academies Open House at AAA a BIG Success!
Thanks to all those who came out to support the MA/NH/ME/CT cocktail hour at AAA on Wednesday, March 28th! It was great to see so many faces and learn all about the upcoming events for 2012-2013.
A BIG welcome to all the new Massachusetts members of MAA, including our first of the evening, Lesley Segal-Pallas, who renewed her membership through June 2013. If you need to renew or join, go to our MAA Membership tab, and get 3 months free! Joining now will keep your membership current through June 2013.
Congrats to Margaret Glover of New Hampshire and Julie Breton of Massachusetts, both winners of the Kindle Fires!
Many thanks to Benjamin Fierro, MAA new lobbyist, and to Senator Thomas Kennedy of Brockton, who attended our Open House and helped facilitate our discussions of MAA’s opposition to HB 3903.
Updates on HB 3903: Allowing Physicians to Sell Hearing Aids in MA
On April 5th, the joint committee overseeing HB 3903 has filed an extension on the reporting of the bill until May 3rd. By May 3rd will know whether the bill will move into the general legislature or not.
We need to present an organized and informed opposition to this bill. We need every audiologist to get involved.
If you have patients that would be supportive to our concerns, please encourage them to contact their legislators.
To find the current contact information for your state legislator (both in the Senate and the House,) please use the link provided below:
Some talking points to express to your representative:
(1) ALLOWING PHYSICIANS TO DISPENSE HEARING AIDS IS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMER (CONFLICT OF INTEREST, PHYSICIAN PROFITING FROM THE SALE OF RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENT)
(2) DOCTORS ARE NOT SUITABLY TRAINED FOR DISPENSING HEARING AIDS
(3) THE PHYSICIAN WILL NOT LIKELY BE THE ONES DISPENSING HEARING AIDS, AND THE JOB WILL LIKELY GO TO AN UNQUALIFIED STAFF MEMBER, SINCE THERE IS A MAJOR TIME COMMITMENT TO THE FITTING OF HEARING AIDS
New MAA and Liberty Mutual Discount…for Members Only!
MAA is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Liberty Mutual to offer our members a discount on their home and auto insurance!
A Message from Liberty Mutual:
As a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Audiology, you could save hundreds on your car and home insurance with Liberty Mutual*, while receiving advice and excellent service from licensed insurance counselors. You will also have access to safety resources to help keep you and your family safe.
Liberty Mutual offers many discounts and benefits including:*
· Multi-policy discount on home insurance when you insure both your car and home with Liberty Mutual
· Additional discounts based on driving experience and car and home safety features
· Features such as Accident Forgiveness, New Car Replacement and Loss Forgiveness
Get a quote today, call Joanmarie Berry at (781) 251-0963 Ext. 54232 or visit www.libertymutual.com/maacademyofaudiology!
Please mention client #118866
Our Annual 2012 Conference
Our next conference will take place at the Sheraton Framingham on Friday, September 21st, 2012.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Robert Sweetow, Ph.D., from the University of California San Francisco, will be our guest speaker for the day. Topics for the day include aural rehabilitation and tinnitus research.
More details to come! 
March 25, 2011 Conference
Here are some photos from this year's Conference:
