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Bill > HB279


KY HB279

KY HB279
AN ACT relating to coverage for mental health or substance use disorders.


summary

Introduced
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amend KRS 304.17A-660 to specify classifications to be included in the term "classification of benefits"; specify requirements, standards, and methodologies to be included in the term "nonquantitative treatment limitation"; change the definition of "mental health condition" to the definition of "mental health or substance use disorder condition"; amend KRS 304.17A-661 to require an insurer's mental health parity analysis to include an evaluation of standards relating to network composition, out-of-network utilization rates, and medical management techniques; require insurers to submit a remediation plan for the commissioner's approval if its mental health parity analysis indicates noncompliance; require insurer's annual mental health parity report to be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; delete language applying remedies under Subtitle 12 of KRS Chapter 304 to violations; authorize the Attorney General to enforce the mental health parity law; establish duties, remedies, and penalties for enforcement by the Attorney General; authorize a private cause of action by any person directly injured by a violation or likely violation of the mental health parity law; establish duties, remedies, and penalties for a private right of action under the mental health parity law; establish construction clauses; authorize the Attorney General to promulgate administrative regulations for proper enforcement of mental health parity law; create new sections of KRS 304.17A-660 to 304.17A-669 to define "health care professional"; require insurers to comply with KRS 304.17A-700 to 304.17A-730 for claims submitted by health care professionals for the diagnosis or treatment of mental health or substance use disorder conditions; authorize the Attorney General to enforce the requirement to comply with KRS 304.17A-700 to 304.17A-730; create the Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity; establish duties and membership; amend KRS 304.17A-665 to require the commissioner of insurance to publish a summary of each insurer's mental health parity report and report findings to specified legislative committees; amend KRS 304.17A-669 to conform; amend KRS 18A.225 to require the state employee health plan to comply with KRS 304.17A-660 to 304.17A-669; provide terms for initial appointment of members of the Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity; provide that certain sections apply to contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE, January 1, 2027.

AI Summary

This bill aims to strengthen mental health and substance use disorder parity in health insurance coverage by expanding definitions, requiring more detailed analysis from insurers, and establishing new enforcement mechanisms. It clarifies what constitutes "classification of benefits" and "nonquantitative treatment limitation" (which are limitations not based on numerical values, such as prior authorization requirements or network composition standards) and broadens the definition of "mental health condition" to "mental health or substance use disorder condition." Insurers will now need to evaluate their mental health parity compliance based on network composition, out-of-network utilization rates, and medical management techniques, and must submit a remediation plan if they are found to be noncompliant. Annual reports on mental health parity will be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission, and the Attorney General will be empowered to enforce these parity laws, with provisions for penalties and remedies for both the Attorney General and individuals directly harmed by violations. A new Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity will be created to advise the Attorney General. The bill also mandates that the state employee health plan comply with these expanded parity requirements, and these changes will apply to contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

to Banking & Insurance (H) (on 01/15/2026)

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