West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5433: Require all state‑regulated health insurance plans to provide meaningful coverage for hearing aids and to cover at least one annual audiological evaluation.
Status: Introduced, February 11, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding six new sections, designated §5-16-7h, §33-15-4y, §33-16-3aaa, §33-24-7z, §33-25-8w and §33-25A-8z, all relating generally to requiring health insurance coverage of hearing aids. ARTICLE 16. WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ACT. §5-16-7h. Required coverage for hearing aids. (a) A policy, plan, or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids that are prescribed by a licensed physician for individuals covered under the policy or plan. The policy or.
From the introduced text, February 11, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding six new sections, designated §5-16-7h, §33-15-4y, §33-16-3aaa, §33-24-7z, §33-25-8w and §33-25A-8z, all relating generally to requiring health insurance coverage of hearing aids. ARTICLE 16. WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ACT. §5-16-7h. Required coverage for hearing aids. (a) A policy, plan, or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids that are prescribed by a licensed physician for individuals covered under the policy or plan. The policy or plan shall at a minimum provide coverage (2) New hearing aids when alterations to the existing hearing aids cannot adequately meet the needs of the covered individual; (3) Services, including audiometric testing, hearing aid evaluations, fittings and adjustments; and (4) At least one annual audiological evaluation. (b) For purposes of this section, "hearing aid" means any wearable device or instrument or any combination thereof, designated for, represented as or offered for sale for the purpose of aiding, improving or compensating for defective or impaired human hearing and includes ear molds, parts, attachments or other medically necessary accessories, but excludes batteries and cords. (c) The same deductibles, coinsurance, network restrictions and other limitations for covered services found in the policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement of the …