# Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2021

Right now, if you're on Medicare and need hearing care, you typically have to get a referral from a doctor before you can see an audiologist—and even then, Medicare only covers a limited set of services. This bill would change that by allowing Medicare to pay for a much broader range of audiologist services without requiring a doctor's referral first. Essentially, it would let you go directly to an audiologist for hearing and balance-related care, similar to how you can already do with the Veterans Administration or federal employee health plans.

The bill recognizes that untreated hearing loss is a serious health problem for older Americans. According to the research cited in the bill, seniors with hearing loss are more likely to fall, experience faster cognitive decline, and develop depression and anxiety. By making it easier and faster to get audiologist care through Medicare, the bill aims to catch and treat these problems earlier, which could improve health outcomes and potentially reduce overall healthcare costs. The bill would pay audiologists using Medicare's standard fee schedule, the same way it pays other healthcare providers, and you'd pay the same 20 percent coinsurance you'd pay for other Medicare services.

The practical effect for Medicare beneficiaries would be straightforward: you could schedule an appointment with an audiologist directly for hearing tests, hearing aid fitting, balance disorder treatment, and other related services without first getting permission from your doctor. This removes a bureaucratic step that currently delays care. The bill would take effect on January 1, 2022, though it's important to note this bill was introduced in 2021 and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law to actually take effect.

Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2021

Rice, Tom

Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2021 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.