Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4959: An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids
Status: In committee, July 23, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
SECTION 1. Section 23 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- The commission shall provide to any person who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the cost of 1 hearing aid, as defined in section 196 of chapter 112, per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months upon a written statement from the person’s treating physician that the hearing aids are necessary regardless of etiology; provided, that if the person’s treating physician provides a written statement that the person’s hearing capability has changed such that their current hearing aid is no longer sufficient, the commission shall cover a new hearing aid before the 36-month period has expired. Coverage under this section shall include the hearing aid deemed best for the patient by the audiologist or hearing aid dispenser and the patient, regardless of the brand. The commission shall cover hearing aids as durable medical equipment and shall provide coverage under the same terms and conditions that apply to other durable medical equipment covered by the commission. Coverage under this section shall include all related services prescribed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist, as defined in said section 196 of said chapter 112, including …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- Brian Murray (D, 10th Worcester)
- Richard Haggerty (D, 30th Middlesex)
- Michael Moore (D, Second Worcester)
- John Moran (D, 9th Suffolk)
- Adrian Madaro (D)
- Joanne Comerford (D, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester)
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
- Lindsay Sabadosa (D, 1st Hampshire)
- Jessica Giannino (D, 16th Suffolk)
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H3946
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (December 16, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4959?
- H4959 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids.
- What is the status of H4959?
- In committee as of July 23, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4959?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4959?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4959
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.