Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Division of Medical Assistance
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA  02111	
	MassHealth
	Hearing Aid Dispenser Bulletin 8
	February 1999 

	TO:	Hearing Aid Dispensers Participating in MassHealth

	FROM:	Bruce M. Bullen, Commissioner

	RE:	HEARING AID SERVICES FOR MEMBERS ENROLLED IN MASSHEALTH MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS

Background	Effective July 1, 1998, the Division entered into new contracts with the following managed care organizations (MCOs).  

•	Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan
•	Fallon Community Health Plan
•	Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
•	Kaiser Permanente/Community Health Plan
•	Neighborhood Health Plan
•	Network Health

	Before January 1, 1999, these MCOs were not required to provide the hearing aid benefit to their MassHealth MCO members.

Contract Change	Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 1999, the MCOs listed above are responsible for providing hearing aid services to their MassHealth members.  In accordance with 130 CMR 450.105(A)(3)(a) and (B)(3)(a), the Division will not reimburse hearing aid dispensers for these MassHealth members enrolled in the MCOs listed above for hearing aid services provided on or after January 1, 1999.

Authorization and	Effective for any date of service on or after January 1, 1999, for members 
Payment from MCOs	enrolled with a MassHealth MCO, hearing aid dispensers should seek authorization and payment from the member’s MCO.  

Recipient Eligibility	In accordance with 130 CMR 450.107(C)(2), providers must check the
Verification System 	Recipient Eligibility Verification System (REVS) to verify a member’s eligibility and covered benefits to ensure appropriate payment.

Questions	If you have questions about the information in this bulletin, call the Unisys Provider Services Department at (617) 628-4141 or 1-800-325-5231.