CHAPTER 8. HEARING AID ASSISTANCE
IC 16-35-8
Chapter 8. Hearing Aid Assistance
IC 16-35-8-1
"Child"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "child" means a child enrolled in
a public school, accredited nonpublic school, or nonaccredited
nonpublic school in kindergarten through grade 12.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-2
"Fund"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the hearing aid
fund established by section 3 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-3
Hearing aid fund; established
Sec. 3. The hearing aid fund is established for the purpose of
providing hearing aid assistance to eligible children through the
hearing aid assistance program established by section 9 of this
chapter.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-4
Fund administration
Sec. 4. The fund shall be administered by the state department.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-5
Fund contents
Sec. 5. The fund consists of appropriations from the general
assembly, gifts, bequests, and other sources of funding.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-6
Fund expenses
Sec. 6. The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
money in the fund.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-7
Fund investments
Sec. 7. The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund
not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues
from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-8
Nonreversion; appropriation
Sec. 8. (a) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does
not revert to the state general fund.
(b) There is annually appropriated to the state department from
the fund an amount sufficient for the purposes of this chapter.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-9
Hearing aid assistance program; established; criteria; central
information location
Sec. 9. (a) The hearing aid assistance program is established.
(b) The following eligibility criteria apply for funding through the
hearing aid assistance program:
(1) The hearing aid must be:
(A) prescribed for a child by a physician who is licensed
under IC 25-22.5; and
(B) prescribed, fitted, and dispensed for the child by an
audiologist who is licensed under IC 25-35.6.
(2) The child has not received funding from the fund for a
hearing aid for the applicable ear during the previous three (3)
years.
(3) Reimbursement is not available through any of the following
or is not sufficient to pay the full amount required for a hearing
aid:
(A) A policy of accident and sickness insurance (IC 27-8-5).
(B) A health maintenance organization contract (IC 27-13).
(C) The Medicaid program (IC 12-15).
(D) The children's health insurance program (IC 12-17.6).
(E) The federal Medicare program or any other federal
assistance program.
(c) The state department may use appropriate internal and external
resources to administer the hearing aid assistance program in a cost
effective manner.
(d) External foundations and other organizations that provide
hearing aid assistance may register with the state department to
provide a centralized location from which hearing impaired
individuals can obtain information regarding additional sources of
hearing aid assistance.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-10
Application for funding; payment from fund
Sec. 10. (a) The parent or guardian of a child may at any time
apply to the state department for funding through the hearing aid
assistance program.
(b) Upon receipt of an application made under subsection (a), if
the state department determines that the child is eligible under
section 9(b) of this chapter, the state department may pay from the
fund any amount not reimbursed through a source described in
section 9(b)(3) of this chapter, not to exceed one thousand five
hundred dollars ($1,500) per hearing aid.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-11
School assistance with applications
Sec. 11. A public or nonpublic school may identify eligible
children and assist the parents or guardians of the eligible children
in submitting applications to the state department under this chapter.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-12
Funding priority
Sec. 12. The state department shall give funding priority to
applications under this chapter for eligible children who are less than
fourteen (14) years of age.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-13
Hearing aid refurbishing program
Sec. 13. (a) The state department may, if economically feasible,
create a hearing aid refurbishing program through which hearing aids
that are no longer used by eligible children and other individuals are
collected and refurbished for the use of other individuals.
(b) The state department may enter into an agreement with
another organization to implement this section.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.
IC 16-35-8-14
Administrative rules
Sec. 14. The state department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.119-2009, SEC.1.