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SB 93 Kentucky Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing loss.

Summary
Amend KRS 304.17A-132 to modify coverage requirements for hearing aids and related services; amend KRS 304.17A-131 to modify coverage requirements for cochlear implants; amend KRS 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require Medicaid, KCHIP, self-insured employer group plans provided by the governing board of a state postsecondary education institution, and the state employee health plan to comply with the coverage requirements for hearing aids and related services and cochlear implants; provide that various sections apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026; establish construction of certain provisions for purposes of federal law and require state officials to comply; require the Department of Insurance to determine whether the coverage requirements for hearing aids and related services or cochlear implants would be in addition to essential health benefits required under federal law; require the Department of Insurance and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to obtain federal waivers or approval, if necessary; EFFECTIVE, January 1, 2026.
Issues: ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid and health plans to cover hearing aids/cochlear implants, expanding access to essential hearing services under health benefit mandates.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates expanded hearing aid/cochlear implant coverage in state employee health plans, directly expanding worker benefits under employment health coverage.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill significantly increases hearing aid coverage amounts and clarifies requirements for health plans in Kentucky. The most important change is raising the minimum coverage amount from $1,400 to $2,500 per hearing aid, with special provisions for children and adults with severe hearing loss. The bill also adds new administrative requirements for the commissioner to establish and review these coverage amounts annually.
Scope change
The bill now specifically targets children with hearing loss and adults with severe to profound hearing loss, while maintaining coverage for all children regardless of hearing loss severity. It also adds provisions about Health Savings Account qualification and network adequacy requirements.
REQUIREMENT

Increased minimum hearing aid coverage amount from $1,400 to $2,500 per hearing aid

Requires commissioner to annually review coverage amounts to ensure they meet requirements

Added exception for health plans that would fail to qualify as Health Savings Account-qualified High Deductible Health Plans

Added network adequacy requirements for insurers providing hearing aid coverage through networks

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific coverage provisions for children regardless of hearing loss severity and adults with severe to profound hearing loss

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'Related services' to include assessment, selection, and fitting services for hearing aids

Modified definition of 'cost sharing' to clarify what is included and excluded from the coverage limit

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

43–0
Passed
Total votes 43
Mar 5, 2025
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican37
37 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
6
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
to Health Services (H)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
to Appropriations & Revenue (S)
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.