HB 169 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.

Summary
Create new sections of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to define terms; require health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding or eating disorders; prohibit insurers from using certain standards, including body mass index, to deny, limit, or restrict coverage; authorize insurers to consider certain factors when determining medical necessity or the appropriate level of care for an individual diagnosed with a feeding or eating disorder; amend KRS 304.17C-125, 304.38A-115, 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require limited health services benefit plans, limited health service organizations, 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 feeding or eating disorders; provide that various sections apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the legal definition of 'feeding or eating disorders' to include new categories like atypical anorexia and binge-eating disorder, ensuring coverage aligns with the latest medical standards. It strictly prohibits health plans from denying coverage based on a patient's body mass index or ideal weight, removing weight-based barriers to care. Additionally, the bill mandates that insurers must consider specific medical factors, such as heart rate and recovery environment, when determining the appropriate level of treatment.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of coverage to include a broader range of eating disorders and applies stricter non-discrimination rules to all health plans, including Medicaid, KCHIP, and private insurance.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'feeding or eating disorder' to explicitly include 'atypical anorexia nervosa' and 'binge-eating disorder' alongside existing conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a strict prohibition preventing health plans from using Body Mass Index (BMI) or ideal body weight as a reason to deny or limit coverage for these disorders.

Mandated that insurers must consider specific clinical factors, such as eating behaviors, supervised meal needs, and vital signs, when determining medical necessity.

ELIGIBILITY

Amended existing Kentucky statutes to ensure Medicaid and children's health programs (KCHIP) comply with the new non-discrimination and coverage requirements.

Floor votes · House Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 101)
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 38-0
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Committee
to Banking & Insurance (S)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
to Banking & Insurance (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.