Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB164: AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
Status: Signed into law, April 3, 2026
Amend KRS 304.17A-132 to modify the definition of "hearing aid"; increase the coverage amount for hearing aids from $1,400 to $2,500; establish network adequacy requirements relating to the provision of hearing aids and related services that are required to be covered; amend KRS 18A.225 to increase the cap on hearing aids and hearing aid-related services under the state employee health plan from $1,400 to $2,500; direct that the Act applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 304.17A-132 is amended to read as follows: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Hearing aid": 1. Means any wearable[, nondisposable instrument or] device designed for, offered for the purpose of, or represented as aiding persons with or compensating for,[to aid or compensate for] impaired[ human] hearing; 2. Includes[ and] any parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds; and[, but excluding ] 3. Does not include batteries and cords; and (b) "Related services" means those services necessary to assess, select, and appropriately adjust or fit the hearing aid to ensure optimal performance. (2) A health benefit plan shall provide coverage, subject to all applicable copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits, for the full cost of one (1) hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear up to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)[one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400)] every thirty-six (36) months for hearing aids for insured individuals under eighteen (18) years of age and all related services which shall be prescribed by an audiologist licensed under KRS Chapter 334A and dispensed by an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist licensed under KRS Chapter 334. (3) An[The] insured may choose a higher priced hearing aid and may pay the …
Sponsors
- Samara Heavrin (R, HD-018) · primary sponsor
- George Brown (D, HD-077)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- DJ Johnson (R, HD-013)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 38-0
- : posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
- : to Banking & Insurance (S)
Votes
- Senate: Floor Vote RSN# 3993 (March 25, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 44 (February 2, 2026): 93 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Insurance, Health, Children And Minors, Health Care Professionals, State Employee Health Plan Mandate, State Employees, Health And Medical Services, Local Mandate, Effective Dates, Delayed
Common questions
- What is HB164?
- HB164 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
- What does HB164 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
- What is the status of HB164?
- Signed into law as of April 3, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26) (April 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB164?
- Samara Heavrin (R, HD-018), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB164?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb164.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.