Envoy Medical notes introduction of Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act

Envoy Medical announced the introduction of a new bipartisan Congressional bill, titled the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act. The bill seeks to clarify that fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices are prosthetics and not subject to the current Medicare hearing aid coverage exclusion. The Social Security Act of 1965 excluded hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dental care from being coverable benefits under Medicare and Medicaid. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has broadly interpreted what a “hearing aid” is to include devices that are not hearing aids. Envoy Medical believes this inappropriate classification has resulted in breakthrough hearing technologies not being available to Medicare beneficiaries and has hindered innovation and competition in the hearing device marketplace. The legislation was introduced on February 6, 2024 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Michelle Fischbach and Angie Craig. The legislation is expected to gain additional bipartisan support following the bill’s introduction. “The Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act is a big step in the right direction for hearing loss patients who deserve access to more options. Hearing aids are wonderful technologies – we are in no way suggesting otherwise – but they are not for everyone suffering from disabling hearing loss. We have seen discouraged longtime hearing aid users rejoin life with our fully implanted Esteem hearing device, and we believe more Medicare beneficiaries deserve that opportunity,” said Envoy Medical CEO Brent Lucas. “We are thrilled that Representatives Fischbach and Craig are committed to bringing this issue forward for the benefit of their constituents’ health by leading the effort to correct what we believe to be an administrative mistake. Both Representatives Fischbach and Craig, along with their amazing staff, have taken the time to learn about this issue, the technology, and understand why it is important. We are also grateful for the other members of the U.S. House and Senate who have offered their support and we look forward to working with them as we proceed.” Passage of this bill will absolutely result in more competition and more innovation. Envoy Medical is just one of many companies that would begin to reinvest into the fully implanted active middle ear hearing device segment,” Lucas added. “That would mean more innovation, more competition, more well-paying jobs here in America, and, most importantly, more solutions for the nearly 40 million Americans who suffer from disabling hearing loss.”