Bill > SB93

This bill aims to enhance health insurance coverage for hearing loss by modifying requirements for hearing aids and cochlear implants in Kentucky. Specifically, the bill mandates that health benefit plans provide coverage for hearing aids without cost sharing for children, with a minimum coverage amount of $2,500 per hearing aid every 36 months. For cochlear implants, the bill requires coverage that is at least equivalent to federal Medicare standards, ensuring that individuals with hearing loss have access to necessary medical devices. The bill applies to various health plans, including Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), self-insured employer group plans for state postsecondary educational institutions, and the state employee health plan. The legislation also includes provisions for the Department of Insurance to review and potentially adjust coverage amounts annually and to seek federal waivers if necessary to implement the new requirements. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after that date, with the goal of improving access to hearing-related medical care for Kentucky residents.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/sb93.html