HIGHLAND
PARK, N.J., July 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Eric Sandler, Director
of Audiology at The Hearing Center of Central New Jersey, has been selected as the
new chair of the Audiology Committee of the New Jersey Speech and
Hearing Association (NJSHA). Having recently been recognized in a
member spotlight by NJSHA, Dr. Sandler played an active role in the
2024 update of Grace's Law.
Originally passed in 2009 to expand insurance coverage of
hearing aids for children, Grace's law was updated to include
obsolete cochlear implant processor replacements to be covered by
health insurance in New
Jersey.
Cochlear implants utilize an implanted electrode array to bypass
the damaged portion of a significantly hearing impaired ear.
Without a functional external processor, the internal portion of
the device provides no function. External processors are constantly
improving with technological advancements, and are considered
obsolete after a useful life of 5-10 years.
The original Grace's law covered $1,000 per hearing impaired ear, every 2 years.
Hearing aids generally do not need to be replaced after 2 years,
and most pediatric hearing aids come with a 5-year manufacturer
warranty. Dr. Sandler was part of the team that suggested to NJ
legislators to modify the language of the new law to increase the
amount covered to $2,500 per hearing
impaired ear, every 5 years. This allows families to have a larger
portion of the hearing aid expense to be covered, while not
increasing the cost to insurance companies over a 5-year
period.
"Throughout the process we recognized that there are political
and economic realities that we have to contend with," noted Dr.
Sandler. "We wanted to make sure that the needs of hearing-impaired
children were met, in a way that would be politically acceptable
and also unobjectionable by insurance companies. We realized if
something greatly increased their costs, then they would be likely
to object, so we came up with terms that we thought were an
effective compromise."
It was a process of internal discussions and meetings with
legislative staffers to make this updated law a reality. Dr.
Sandler also recognized "everyone on the audiology committee at
NJSHA that put in a tremendous effort to make sure that this
updated bill was signed into law."
The new law was signed on January
16th, 2024 and went into effect on most insurance
plans as of April 15th of
the same year. It was highlighted by the NJSHA during
Speech-Language Hearing Month in May.
About The Hearing Center
The Hearing Center is an advanced full-service audiology
practice for pediatrics and adults. The state-of-the-art facilities
are the first in New Jersey to
offer all audiological services outside a hospital setting. The
director of audiology, Eric Sandler,
Sc.D., is a sought-after speaker who delivers lectures on
cochlear implants around the U.S. For more information, visit
www.thcaudiology.com.
About Dr. Eric Sandler
Dr. Eric Sandler is a licensed
Audiologist (#722) and Hearing Aid Dispenser (#1082) in the state
of New Jersey. Dr. Sandler has
presented his doctoral research on patient satisfaction and
perceived value of hearing aids. He has worked in the private
practice setting since 2007. He also has experience presenting to
the community, and at state and national conventions on various
topics related to hearing loss.
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SOURCE The Hearing Center