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Summary:A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has reintroduced the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act to eliminate barriers preventing seniors and people with disabilities from directly accessing essential hearing and balance care from licensed audiologists. Key Takeaways: Direct Access for Patients: The legislation would reclassify audiologists as Medicare-recognized practitioners, allowing beneficiaries to access care without needing a physician referral. Broad Bipartisan and Organizational Support: The bill is supported by both Democratic and Republican senators and endorsed by leading audiology, aging, and rural health organizations. Focus on Equity and Efficiency: Advocates emphasize that modernizing outdated Medicare rules will reduce red tape, improve care access, and enhance health outcomes for millions affected by hearing loss. U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are reintroducing the bipartisan Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act, legislation to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare are able to access a full range of hearing and balance healthcare services provided by licensed audiologists. Currently, audiologists are classified as non-physician healthcare professionals that are trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing, balance, and related disorders. Although Medicare already covers various hearing health services, it currently does not recognize audiologists as providers, and they will only receive Medicare reimbursement for a limited set of tests to diagnose hearing or balance disorders—provided that patients first obtain an order from a physician or nurse practitioner. “The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act removes needless government barriers so Americans can access hearing care directly and affordably,” says Senator Paul. “It shows that when Congress focuses on practical solutions, we can work across the aisle to improve healthcare.” https://hearingreview.com/practice-building/practice-management/medicare-insurance/safeguarding-teleaudiology-access “Outdated Medicare rules are preventing seniors from accessing the vital services audiologists provide,” says Senator Warren. “We’re introducing this bill because older Americans and people with disabilities deserve access to the full range of care they need.” The Medicare Audiologist Access Improvement Act of 2025 would reclassify audiologists as “practitioners” in the Medicare program, allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive hearing and balance healthcare services from licensed audiologists. “I’m proud to have helped improve access to high-quality and affordable hearing aids through the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Act in 2017. However, millions of Americans are affected by hearing loss, and more work needs to be done to reduce barriers,” says Senator Grassley. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to expand access and allow more seniors and individuals with disabilities to get help from a trained audiologist.” https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/legislation/house-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-medicare-audiology-access Legislator Support The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Angus King (I-Maine). “Senior citizens deserve access to high quality audiology care and services they need,” says Senator Booker. “Too many patients suffering from hearing problems struggle to access care because current Medicare rules limit the range of services available. This legislation will remove barriers to accessing audiology care, expand the treatments available, and allow more audiologists to participate in Medicare.” “Too many Granite Staters suffering from hearing loss are met with bureaucratic barriers when trying to access the care that they need. Roughly one in every three adults between the ages of 65 and 75 experience hearing loss – and yet, they struggle to get care because Medicare does not recognize audiologists as providers,” says Senator Shaheen. “It’s past time we cut through this red tape to expand Medicare and ensure that older adults and Granite Staters with disabilities have access to the health services provided by audiologists. That’s why I’m proud to work across the aisle to introduce bipartisan legislation that does exactly that.” https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/legislation/speak-up-advocate-for-hearing-care-and-people-with-hearing-loss “Excessive red tape has made it increasingly difficult for more than 70,000 Vermonters who experience hearing loss and need access to audiology services. Outdated Medicaid rules make it harder for folks in every state to receive the crucial care audiologists provide,” says Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan legislation to make it easier for seniors and folks with disabilities to get the audiology care they need.” Widespread Association Support The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act is supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology, the Hearing Loss Association of America, the Hearing Industries Association, the Vestibular Disorders Association, the American Tinnitus Association, the National Rural Health Association, and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. “The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association thanks Senators Warren, Paul, and Grassley for their continued leadership to ensure seniors have more streamlined and robust access to hearing and balance care provided by audiologists,” says ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP. “ASHA looks forward to supporting their efforts to remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that unfairly penalize seniors and prevent them from accessing critical hearing and balance care in a timely and cost-effective manner.” The American Academy of Audiology’s President Patricia Gaffney, AuD, MPH, stated, “The leadership of these three dedicated senators in advancing audiologic access nationwide reinforces the vital work audiologists do every day to improve hearing and balance health care. For patients, this legislation represents a meaningful step forward—ensuring timely access to the essential services needed for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of hearing and vestibular disorders.” “ADA applauds Senator Warren, Senator Paul, and Senator Grassley for championing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA) to remove red tape so that seniors and individuals with disabilities have streamlined access to crucial hearing and balance healthcare services,” says Amyn Amlani, PhD, president of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). “Eliminating burdensome pretreatment order requirements and classifying audiologists as Medicare practitioners will allow patients to receive timely, evidence-based care that improves communication, reduces fall risks, and enhances overall quality of life.” Featured image: Dreamstime

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