Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 164 — AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 03, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 94% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    4 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

278 added · 372 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 164 significantly increase the insurance coverage for hearing aids for individuals under eighteen. Previously, the coverage was capped at $1,400 every three years, but it has now been raised to $2,500 per hearing-impaired ear. This change means families will have better access to higher-quality hearing aids, promoting better hearing health and educational opportunities for children. Additionally, the definition of “hearing aid” has been clarified, ensuring that related services for fitting and adjusting these devices are also included.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
CHAPTER 26 1 CHAPTER 26 ( HB 164 ) AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
(4)[(3)] A health benefit plan shall not be required to pay a claim filed by its insured for payment of the cost of a hearing aid under the coverage required by [subsection Page 1 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA (2) of ]this section if less than three (3) years prior to the date of the claim the[its] insured filed a claim for payment of the cost of a hearing aid under the required coverage and the claim was paid by any health benefit plan.
(4)[(3)] A health benefit plan shall not be required to pay a claim filed by its insured for payment of the cost of a hearing aid under the coverage required by [subsection (2) of ]this section if less than three (3) years prior to the date of the claim the[its] insured filed a claim for payment of the cost of a hearing aid under the required coverage and the claim was paid by any health benefit plan.
or by any city, urban-county, charter county, county, or consolidated local government, whose legislative body has opted to participate in the state- sponsored health insurance program pursuant to KRS 79.080;
or by any city, urban-county, charter county, county, or consolidated local government, whose legislative body has opted to participate in the state-sponsored health insurance program pursuant to KRS 79.080;
or, in the case of a public Page 2 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA postsecondary education institution, is an individual participating in an optional retirement plan authorized by KRS 161.567;
or, in the case of a public postsecondary education institution, is an individual participating in an optional retirement plan authorized by KRS 161.567;
or is eligible to participate in a retirement plan established by an employer who ceases participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System pursuant to KRS 61.522 whose employees participated in the health insurance plans administered by the Personnel Cabinet prior to the employer's effective cessation date in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System;
or is eligible to participate in a retirement plan established by an Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY employer who ceases participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System pursuant to KRS 61.522 whose employees participated in the health insurance plans administered by the Personnel Cabinet prior to the employer's effective cessation date in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System;
and Page 3 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA (d) The term "managed care plan" for the purposes of this section means a managed care plan as defined in KRS 304.17A-500.
and (d) The term "managed care plan" for the purposes of this section means a managed care plan as defined in KRS 304.17A-500.
All employees and other persons for whom the health care coverage is provided or made available shall annually be given an option to elect health care coverage through a self-funded plan offered by the Commonwealth or, if a self-funded plan is not available, from a list of coverage options determined by the competitive bid process under the Page 4 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA provisions of KRS 45A.080, 45A.085, and 45A.090 and made available during annual open enrollment.
All employees and other persons for whom the health care coverage is provided or made available shall annually be given an option to elect health care coverage through a self-funded plan offered by the Commonwealth or, if a self-funded plan is not available, from a list of coverage options determined by the competitive bid process under the provisions of KRS 45A.080, 45A.085, and 45A.090 and made available during annual open enrollment.
(d) Any carrier bidding to offer health care coverage to employees shall agree to provide enrollment, claims, and utilization data to the Commonwealth in a format specified by the Personnel Cabinet with the understanding that the data shall be owned by the Commonwealth;
CHAPTER 26 3 (d) Any carrier bidding to offer health care coverage to employees shall agree to provide enrollment, claims, and utilization data to the Commonwealth in a format specified by the Personnel Cabinet with the understanding that the data shall be owned by the Commonwealth;
(e) The Personnel Cabinet shall develop the necessary techniques and capabilities for timely analysis of data received from carriers and, to the extent possible, provide in the request-for-proposal specifics relating to data requirements, Page 5 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA electronic reporting, and penalties for noncompliance.
(e) The Personnel Cabinet shall develop the necessary techniques and capabilities for timely analysis of data received from carriers and, to the extent possible, provide in the request-for-proposal specifics relating to data requirements, electronic reporting, and penalties for noncompliance.
Page 6 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA (a) Wholly from funds contributed by the employee, by payroll deduction or otherwise;
(a) Wholly from funds contributed by the employee, by payroll deduction or otherwise;
(6) The policy or policies may contain the provisions with respect to the class or classes of employees covered, amounts of insurance or coverage for designated classes or groups of employees, policy options, terms of eligibility, and continuation of Page 7 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA insurance or coverage after retirement.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (6) The policy or policies may contain the provisions with respect to the class or classes of employees covered, amounts of insurance or coverage for designated classes or groups of employees, policy options, terms of eligibility, and continuation of insurance or coverage after retirement.
(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the policy or policies Page 8 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA provided to employees pursuant to this section shall not provide coverage for obtaining or performing an abortion, nor shall any state funds be used for the purpose of obtaining or performing an abortion on behalf of employees or their dependents.
(10) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the policy or policies provided to employees pursuant to this section shall not provide coverage for obtaining or performing an abortion, nor shall any state funds be used for the purpose of obtaining or performing an abortion on behalf of employees or their dependents.
Page 9 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA (14) The policy or policies provided to state employees or their dependents pursuant to this section shall provide coverage for obtaining a hearing aid and acquiring hearing aid-related services for insured individuals under eighteen (18) years of age, subject to a cap of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)[one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400)] every thirty-six (36) months pursuant to KRS 304.17A-132.
(14) The policy or policies provided to state employees or their dependents pursuant to this section shall provide coverage for obtaining a hearing aid and acquiring hearing aid-related services for insured individuals under eighteen (18) years of age, subject to a cap of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)[one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400)] every thirty-six (36) months pursuant to KRS 304.17A-132.
(17) If a state employee's residence and place of employment are in the same county, and if the hospital located within that county does not offer surgical services, intensive care services, obstetrical services, level II neonatal services, diagnostic cardiac catheterization services, and magnetic resonance imaging services, the employee may select a plan available in a contiguous county that does provide those services, and the state contribution for the plan shall be the amount available in the county where the plan selected is located.
CHAPTER 26 5 (17) If a state employee's residence and place of employment are in the same county, and if the hospital located within that county does not offer surgical services, intensive care services, obstetrical services, level II neonatal services, diagnostic cardiac catheterization services, and magnetic resonance imaging services, the employee may select a plan available in a contiguous county that does provide those services, and the state contribution for the plan shall be the amount available in the county where the plan selected is located.
(19) The Personnel Cabinet is encouraged to study whether it is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of the state group to allow any carrier bidding to offer health Page 10 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA care coverage under this section to submit bids that may vary county by county or by larger geographic areas.
(19) The Personnel Cabinet is encouraged to study whether it is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of the state group to allow any carrier bidding to offer health care coverage under this section to submit bids that may vary county by county or by larger geographic areas.
(21) Any fully insured health benefit plan or self-insured plan issued or renewed on or after July 12, 2006, to public employees pursuant to this section which provides coverage for services rendered by a physician or osteopath duly licensed under KRS Chapter 311 that are within the scope of practice of an optometrist duly licensed Page 11 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA under the provisions of KRS Chapter 320 shall provide the same payment of coverage to optometrists as allowed for those services rendered by physicians or osteopaths.
(21) Any fully insured health benefit plan or self-insured plan issued or renewed on or after July 12, 2006, to public employees pursuant to this section which provides coverage for services rendered by a physician or osteopath duly licensed under KRS Chapter 311 that are within the scope of practice of an optometrist duly licensed under the provisions of KRS Chapter 320 shall provide the same payment of coverage to optometrists as allowed for those services rendered by physicians or osteopaths.
(k) KRS 304.17A-163 and 304.17A-1631;
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (k) KRS 304.17A-163 and 304.17A-1631;
(23) (a) Any fully insured health benefit plan or self-insured plan issued or renewed to public employees pursuant to this section shall provide a special enrollment Page 12 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 164/GA period to pregnant women who are eligible for coverage in accordance with the requirements set forth in KRS 304.17-182.
(23) (a) Any fully insured health benefit plan or self-insured plan issued or renewed to public employees pursuant to this section shall provide a special enrollment period to pregnant women who are eligible for coverage in accordance with the requirements set forth in KRS 304.17-182.
Page 13 of 13 HB016410.100 - 1249 - XXXX 2/2/2026 4:40 PM GA
Signed by Governor April 3, 2026.
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill increases the coverage limit for hearing aids for insured individuals under eighteen years of age from $1,400 to $2,500 and modifies the definition of 'hearing aid.'

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    $1,400 → $2,500

    Increases the coverage limit for hearing aids for insured individuals under eighteen years of age.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [, nondisposable instrument or]

    Removes the phrase describing hearing aids as nondisposable instruments.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [to aid or compensate for]

    Simplifies the language in the definition of 'hearing aid.'

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [ human]

    Removes the word 'human' from the definition of 'hearing aid.'

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [ and]

    Amends the list of what constitutes a hearing aid by removing an unnecessary conjunction.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [but excluding ]

    Removes the phrase which previously separated the list items.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    and 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.

    Explicitly includes related services as part of the required coverage for hearing aids.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    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.

    Specifies that health benefit plans must cover the full cost of hearing aids and related services for the insured.

  • KRS 304.17A-132

    [The] → An

    Changes 'The insured' to 'An insured' for clarity.

Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. received in House

  6. 3rd reading, passed 38-0

  7. posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar

  10. to Banking & Insurance (S)

  11. to Committee on Committees (S)

  12. received in Senate

  13. 3rd reading, passed 93-0

  14. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 02 2026

  15. 2nd reading, to Rules

  16. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  17. to Banking & Insurance (H)

  18. to Committee on Committees (H)

  19. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 134 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (134)

134 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 134 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

CONSENT PASSAGE OF HB 164

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 33000
Total 38000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 93 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 74006
Democrat 18002
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 93008
% of votes cast 92%0%0%8%
How each member voted (101)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Not Voting
Chad Aull Democrat Not Voting
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Not Voting
Deanna Gordon Republican Not Voting
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Yea
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Not Voting
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Not Voting
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Not Voting
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 164 do?
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.
Who sponsors HB 164?
HB 164 is sponsored by DJ Johnson (Republican), Daniel Grossberg (Democrat), George Brown Jr. (Democrat), and Samara Heavrin (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 164?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 164?
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