H.R. 6218: Help Extend Auditory Relief Act of 2025
This bill, known as the Help Extend Auditory Relief Act of 2025, aims to amend the Social Security Act to enhance Medicare coverage for hearing-related services and devices. The key provisions of this bill include:
1. Coverage of Aural Rehabilitation Services
The bill proposes to add aural rehabilitation services as a covered benefit under the Medicare program. This means that services designed to help individuals with hearing loss, such as therapy and training, would be paid for by Medicare.
2. Inclusion of Hearing Aids as Durable Medical Equipment
Currently, Medicare covers certain durable medical equipment, and this bill seeks to expand that coverage to include hearing aids. This change would allow beneficiaries to receive coverage for hearing aids as part of their Medicare benefits.
3. Definition of Hearing Rehabilitation and Hearing Aids
The bill provides definitions for "hearing rehabilitation" and "hearing aids." Hearing rehabilitation includes both aural rehabilitation services provided by qualified professionals and the provision of hearing aids. The definition of a hearing aid specifically excludes over-the-counter devices, focusing on those that require prescription or assessment by a qualified audiologist.
4. Services Included with Hearing Aids
The bill outlines various services associated with hearing aids that would be covered, such as:
- Audiology services
- Hearing aid assessment
- Procurement of hearing aids
- Initial fitting and adjustments
- Instruction on usage
- Periodic refittings and adjustments
- Rehabilitation services including counseling and auditory training
5. Exclusions from Coverage
The legislation also modifies existing exclusions under Medicare that pertain to hearing rehabilitation and aids. It clarifies that certain aspects of hearing rehabilitation can be covered even if provided more frequently than current standards allow.
6. Implementation Timeline
The bill stipulates that the changes proposed will take effect upon enactment, but the new services and coverage will be available starting no sooner than January 1 of the first year after the bill is enacted and no later than January 1 of the third year following enactment.
Relevant Companies
- DELL - Dell Technologies manufactures devices that could include hearing aids integrated into personal devices.
- GOOGL - Alphabet, through its subsidiary Google, has been involved in developing health-related products that may intersect with audiology services.
- APD - Air Products and Chemicals provides gases and materials that could be used in medical device manufacturing, including hearing aids.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
7 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Nov. 20, 2025 | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
Corporate Lobbying
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