Dispensing Requirements

An audiologist may dispense a hearing aid only after receiving the following documentation. (A) Complete Audiological Evaluation. A complete audiological evaluation includes air and bone conduction, spondee thresholds, and word discrimination testing. (1) The audiologist must have personally completed or received a complete audiological evaluation performed by one of the following: (a) an independent audiologist who personally performed and completed the audiological evaluation; (b) a licensed audiologist who is employed at a speech and hearing clinic and who personally performed and completed the audiological evaluation; or (c) a licensed audiologist who is employed by a physician, or by an acute hospital’s outpatient department, hospital-licensed health center, or other satellite clinic. (2) Audiological evaluations for members under age 18 must be performed by a licensed audiologist pursuant to M.G.L. c. 93 §§ 71 and 72. For members aged 18 or older, the audiological evaluation may also be performed by a licensed hearing instrument specialist. Hearing testing performed by a hearing instrument specialist must meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Rules and Regulations Governing Hearing Instrument Specialists of the Division of Professional Licensure at 265 CMR 2.00 through 10.00. (3) This evaluation must contain the following information: (a) the date of the evaluation; (b) a written summary of findings and impressions, which must include a favorable prognosis for hearing aid use and an assurance that no physiological causes exist that would make the member unable to use a hearing aid; (c) the recommended hearing aid make and model; (d) whether or not the amplification should be monaural (and if so, for which ear) or binaural; and (e) the signature of the audiologist or hearing instrument specialist who performed the evaluation, including the individual’s name and credentials printed clearly and legibly next to the signature. (4) The evaluation must have been performed no more than six months before the dispensing date of the hearing aid. (5) The make, model, and specifications such as maximum output, frequency response configuration, and any other special requirements of the hearing aid dispensed must be the same as or comparable to that recommended in the audiological evaluation. (B) Medical Clearance. The audiologist must have received and must maintain in the member’s medical record pursuant to 130 CMR 426.419(B) a medical clearance from a physician that meets the following conditions: (1) the medical clearance must state that the member is a candidate for and has no medical conditions that would contraindicate the use of a hearing aid; (2) the medical examination by the physician must have been performed no more than six months before the dispensing date of the hearing aid; (3) the medical clearance must be signed by the physician. If the medical clearance is not printed on the physician’s letterhead, the physician’s name and credentials must also be printed clearly and legibly on the medical clearance; and (4) the medical clearance must include the date of the medical clearance, identify which ears are cleared, and indicate whether or not the member, at the time of the medical examination, currently owns or uses a hearing aid for the designated ear.