Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB176: AN ACT relating to prior authorization.
Status: Signed into law, April 13, 2026
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.
What the bill says
An act relating to prior authorization.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to prior authorization. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 304.17A-600 TO 304.17A-633 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Covered health care service" means a health care service furnished or proposed to be furnished to a covered person that is specifically available or included as a covered benefit in the covered person's health benefit plan; (b) "Electronic health record" has the same meaning as in 42 U.S.C. sec. 17921, as amended; (c) "Evaluation period" means a twelve (12) month period of time for which a health care provider's prior authorization experience is evaluated by an insurer or private review agent; (d) "Health care provider" has the same meaning as in KRS 304.17A-005, except for purposes of this section the term includes, if practicing independently, any: 1. Licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor licensed under KRS Chapter 309; 2. Licensed psychologist, licensed psychological practitioner, or certified psychologist with autonomous functioning licensed or certified under the provisions of KRS Chapter 319; 3. Licensed professional clinical counselor licensed under KRS Chapter 335; 4. Licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under KRS Chapter 335; 5. Licensed professional art therapist licensed under KRS Chapter 309; and HB017610.100 - 119 - XXXX 1/21/2026 2:56 …
Sponsors
- Kimberly Moser (R, HD-064) · primary sponsor
- Robert Duvall (R, HD-017)
- Chad Aull (D, HD-079)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- Bobby McCool (R, HD-097)
- Sarah Stalker (D, HD-034)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 102)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : received in House
- : passed 38-0
- : Floor Amendment (1) withdrawn
- : 3rd reading
- : passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
Votes
- Senate: PASS HB 176 RSN# 4090 (March 31, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 16 (January 21, 2026): 89 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: State Agencies, Reports Mandated, Medicaid, Insurance, Health, State Employee Health Plan Mandate, State Employees, Health And Medical Services, Local Mandate
Common questions
- What is HB176?
- HB176 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to prior authorization.
- What does HB176 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to prior authorization.
- What is the status of HB176?
- Signed into law as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 102) (April 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB176?
- Kimberly Moser (R, HD-064), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB176?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb176.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.