SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — Illinois has become the first state in the nation to enact legislation specifically designed to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency for hearing care plans following Governor JB Pritzker’s signing of Senate Bill 2838 (SB2838) into law.
Sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D–Lake Forest) and State Representative Rita Mayfield (D–Waukegan), the legislation passed with strong bipartisan support and will take effect January 1, 2027.
The Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA), which led the effort to develop and advance the legislation, said SB2838 was pursued in response to concerns raised by patients and audiologists about confusing hearing care plans, unclear benefit information, and unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
According to the Academy, the legislation was developed through several years of lobbying, stakeholder engagement, and work with Illinois lawmakers to help ensure consumers receive clearer information about their hearing care benefits and can make more informed healthcare decisions.
HHTM previously reported on the introduction of SB2838 and the proposed requirements for hearing care plans operating in Illinois.
New Consumer Protections for Hearing Care Plans
Among its key provisions, SB2838 requires hearing care organizations and third-party administrators to provide clearer written information about hearing care benefits to enrollees, prospective enrollees, and participating hearing care professionals.
The legislation also prohibits hearing care plans from requiring professionals to provide noncovered products or services at rates established by the plan. When a professional chooses not to accept a plan-established rate for a noncovered product or service, additional disclosure requirements are intended to ensure that patients understand their available options and potential costs.
Another provision addresses discounted hearing care programs by requiring greater clarity regarding how those programs differ from traditional insurance benefits. The measure is intended to help consumers distinguish between funded hearing care benefits and programs that primarily provide access to negotiated or discounted pricing.
The law also establishes consistent transparency standards for hearing care plans operating in Illinois.
Ownership Disclosures and State Oversight
SB2838 includes disclosure requirements for hearing care organizations owned by manufacturers of prescription hearing aids. Those organizations will be required to disclose the ownership relationship in plan documents, marketing materials, and on their websites.
Plans must also identify which prescription hearing aids offered through the program are manufactured or distributed by the organization’s parent company.
Beginning January 1, 2027, hearing care organizations conducting business in Illinois will be required to register with the Illinois Department of Insurance and maintain current registration information. The Department will have authority to establish rules governing registration and implementation of the law.
ILAA-Led Legislative Effort
The Illinois Academy of Audiology credited Senator Morrison and Representative Mayfield for their leadership in advancing the legislation and thanked the audiology organizations that submitted letters of support during the legislative process.
Supporting organizations included the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the American Academy of Audiology, the Wisconsin Academy of Audiology, the Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Maryland Academy of Audiology, the California Academy of Audiology, the Minnesota Academy of Audiology, the Texas Academy of Audiology, and the Indiana Audiology Coalition.
According to ILAA, those organizations supported the effort through letters, while the Illinois Academy led the initiation, development, stakeholder discussions, and lobbying work associated with SB2838.
As the first law of its kind in the United States, the Academy said SB2838 may provide a framework for other states considering similar consumer protection and transparency requirements for hearing care plans.
Source: Illinois Academy of Audiology
