Section 17B:27A-19.18 - Small employer health benefits plan to provide coverage for hearing aids, cochlear implant for covered personsa. A small employer health benefits plan that provides hospital and medical expense benefits and is delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L. 1992, c. 162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide coverage for medically necessary expenses incurred in the purchase of a hearing aid or cochlear implant for a covered person, as provided in this section.b. A health benefits plan shall provide coverage that includes the purchase of a hearing aid for each ear, when medically necessary and as prescribed or recommended by a licensed physician or audiologist. A carrier may limit the benefit provided in this section to one hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 24 months.c. A small employer health benefits plan shall provide coverage of the cost of treatment related to cochlear implants, including procedures for the implantation of cochlear devices and costs for any parts, attachments, or accessories of the device, including replacement of obsolete external cochlear implant processors.d. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other condition under the health benefits plan.e. This section shall apply to those health benefits plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.Amended by L. 2023, c. 275,s. 7, eff. 4/15/2024.Added by L. 2008, c. 126,s. 8, eff. 3/30/2009.