summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/22/2026
01/22/2026
Crossed Over
01/22/2026
01/22/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create new sections of KRS 304.17A-600 to 304.17A-633 to define terms; prohibit insurers of health benefit plans from requiring prior authorization for a health care service for which the provider has an exemption; require insurers of health benefit plans to establish a program under which participating providers may qualify for exemptions from prior authorization; establish mandatory and permitted provisions of an insurer's prior authorization exemption program; establish requirements for sending forms and notices; require the commissioner of the Department of Insurance to submit an annual report relating to prior authorization, provide a detailed briefing upon request, and promulgate administrative regulations; amend KRS 304.17A-605 to conform; amend KRS 304.17A-611 to prohibit conducting a retrospective review that is based solely on a participating provider having a prior authorization exemption; provide that certain utilization review time frames do not apply to retrospective reviews conducted for the purposes of determining eligibility for a prior authorization exemption; create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to require the commissioner of the Department for Medicaid Services to submit an annual report relating to prior authorization, provide a detailed briefing upon request, and promulgate administrative regulations; amend KRS 205.536 to conform; apply the provisions to contracts delivered, entered, renewed, extended, or amended on or after January 1, 2028; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a program for health insurers to grant exemptions from prior authorization requirements for certain healthcare services to participating providers, meaning providers who have contracts with the insurer. Insurers must offer this program, which will evaluate providers based on their past performance, such as a high approval rate for prior authorization requests, and will not require a provider to have an approval rate above 93% to qualify. The program will be evaluated annually, and providers who qualify will be notified. The bill also prohibits insurers from conducting retrospective reviews, which are reviews of services already provided, solely based on a provider having an exemption, and requires the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance to report annually on prior authorization practices, including data on approved and denied requests and review times, and similarly requires the Commissioner of the Department for Medicaid Services to report on prior authorization for Medicaid benefits. These provisions will apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2028, with some sections taking effect earlier.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (7)
Kim Moser (R)*,
Chad Aull (D),
Beverly Chester-Burton (D),
Robert Duvall (R),
Daniel Grossberg (D),
Bobby McCool (R),
Sarah Stalker (D),
Last Action
to Committee on Committees (S) (on 01/22/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb176.html |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb176/bill.pdf |
| Vote History for HB176 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb176/vote_history.pdf |
| Local Mandate Fiscal Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb176/LM.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb176/orig_bill.pdf |
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