Listen Carefully

Minnesota

Conversations are happening across the country to ensure safe, quality hearing assistance is available to those who need it. Check below to see what’s happening in Minnesota.

Did you know?

19% of Minnesota's population has some form of hearing loss.

Current consumer protection action

Summary: This measure requires health plans to cover hearing aids for all individuals with hearing loss that is not correctable by other covered procedures. Coverage required under this measure is limited to one hearing aid in each ear every three years. No special deductible, coinsurance, co-payment, or other limitation on the coverage under this section that is not generally applicable to other coverages under the plan may be imposed.

Status: 1st Chamber

Outlook: The Minnesota Legislature adjourned on May 22. In Minnesota, legislation may be carried over from odd to even-numbered years.

This measure is eligible for consideration during the 2024 Legislative Session, which is expected to convene on February 12, 2024. The measure will retain its current status.

Past consumer protection action

January 14, 2022. NAAG Responds to FDA’s Comment Request on New Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Rules.

“In response to a request for comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding new rules regulating over-the-counter hearing aids, NAAG submitted comments encouraging the FDA to take the below steps to ensure that states maintain a role as regulators in this emerging market.”

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Latest 2023 legislative news

HF 3537. Sponsor: Rep. Liz Boldon (DFL)

This measure relates to the creation of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission and interstate licensure compact for licensed audiologists or speech-language pathologists.

This measure takes effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state.

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SF 3364. Sponsor: Senator Carla Nelson (R)

This measure establishes an interstate compact for audiology and speech-language pathology.

This measure establishes a compact to facilitate the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.

The compact takes effect after ten states enact it into law.

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SF 4292. Sponsor: Senator Paul Utke (R)

This measure authorizes out-of-state health professionals to temporarily provide services without licensure.

This measure takes effect immediately.

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SF 4410. Sponsor: Senator Jim Abeler (R)

These provisions were removed by the April 28 amendments. Please see below for the previous language.

This measure allows a license issued to an audiologist or speech-language pathologist by a home state to a resident in that state to be recognized by each member state of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact as authorizing an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, under a privilege to practice, in each member state.

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