|
In its annual call letter [PDF] to health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is strongly encouraging insurance carriers to include provisions in their 2009 health plans for expanded benefit coverage of audiologic professional services, hearing aids, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, such as speech generating devices (SGDs). Hearing benefits are "an area where we need to do more," starting in 2009 because it "has not gotten the attention it deserves," OPM Director Linda Springer said in her remarks to health insurance representatives as the FEHBP benefits development process for the coming year got underway.
Last March at ASHA's urging, OPM asked insurance companies to increase coverage of hearing benefits for newborns and children, noting that hearing loss is one of the most common congenital birth disorders. "We are pleased many carriers increased benefits with little or no additional premium cost," OPM said in its 2009 call letter [PDF].
ASHA worked with OPM and its consultants by providing specific recommendations that are reflected in OPM's 2008 and 2009 FEHBP Carrier Letters, including actuarial data, comprehensive analyses of FEHBP coverage of hearing and speech-language benefits, and the scope of services provided by audiologists and speech-language pathologists. ASHA is also grateful for the assistance provided by Dynavox Technologies in SGD benefit data and advocacy.
The FEHB Program is the nation's largest employer-based health benefits program, providing medical insurance and health coverage to about 8 million government employees and their family members. It permits federal employees to purchase coverage from national health carriers, health maintenance organizations, and unions representing government employees. Presidential contenders have referenced the federal employee program as a model for putting health insurance within reach of Americans who need coverage.
For further information, please contact ASHA at reimbursement@asha.org.
|