Bill > HB244

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for health insurance coverage of eating and feeding disorders in Kentucky, with a focus on ensuring more inclusive and compassionate treatment. The bill defines eating and feeding disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, specifically including conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. It mandates that all health plans provide coverage for treatment of diagnosed eating and feeding disorders, and critically, prohibits health plans from using restrictive standards like body mass index (BMI) or ideal body weight when determining medical necessity or appropriate care. Instead, health plans must consider factors such as eating behaviors, need for supervised meals, laboratory results, recovery environment, and co-occurring disorders. The legislation applies to various health plans, including Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), state employee health plans, and student health insurance. These new requirements will take effect for health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and the state will seek any necessary federal approvals to implement the changes, particularly for Medicaid and KCHIP programs.

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https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb244.html