Over the next several years there will be significant forces impacting the hearing health care sector. Foremost among these changes is the possible expansion of Medicare to cover hearing services and hearing aids, and the new OTC (Over the Counter) class of devices.
As a component of the overall healthcare system, we need to stay informed about the various policy changes that will impact our industry. These include legislative actions, and regulatory action from the FTC and FDA.
This lecture will provide insights into the federal legislative and regulatory issues surrounding expanded Medicare coverage, and OTC, as well as the possible changes to the delivery of hearing healthcare services.
After attending this activity, attendees will be able to:
1. Describe the impact of Medicare expansion on the distribution of audiology and hearing aids
2. Discuss the impact of consumers’ choices for obtaining hearing health services online vs in-person
3. Review the legislative and regulatory changes that will impact the delivery system for hearing health services