All Roll Calls
Yes: 171 • No: 0
KentuckySB 972026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to coverage for prostheses and orthoses.
Sponsored By: Rick Girdler (Republican)
Signed by Governor
DisabilitiesEducation, HigherEffective Dates, DelayedHealth And Medical ServicesHealth Care ProfessionalsInsurance, HealthReports MandatedState EmployeesActuarial AnalysisHealth Benefit Plan MandateLocal MandateState Employee Health Plan Mandate
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Health plans must cover prosthetics and orthotics
The law requires all Kentucky health plans, including college student plans, to cover prosthetics and orthotics at least to federal Medicare/Medicaid standards. Plans must cover all parts, training on use, repairs, and replacements when medically needed. Replacement is covered for body changes, irreparable damage, or if repair costs over 60% of a new device; an insurer may ask for confirmation if the device is under three years old. Cost-sharing cannot be stricter than for inpatient doctor and surgery care, and coverage may be limited to three devices per affected limb in three years. Insurers must make fair, nondiscriminatory review decisions, explain medical-necessity denials in writing, and list your rights in plan documents and denial letters. Networks must include enough accessible prosthetists and orthotists under Kentucky’s managed-care rules. These services count as habilitative or rehabilitative benefits.
State worker and college plans must cover prosthetics and orthotics
Public employee health plans, whether fully insured or self-insured, must follow the same prosthetic and orthotic coverage rules. Governing boards of state colleges that run self-insured employer plans must also comply. This gives workers and campus plan members the same device, repair, and replacement protections.
Annual prosthetic claims reports and federal check
Every insurer must report by June 1 each year how many prosthetic and orthotic claims it received and paid. By October 1, the Insurance Commissioner aggregates the data and sends it to the legislature. Within 30 days of the section’s start, the Department of Insurance tells federal HHS if Section 1 adds to essential health benefits. It asks HHS to confirm within one year; no answer in a year counts as accepted.
Rules apply to plans from January 2027
Sections 1 through 4 take effect January 1, 2027. Sections 1 through 3 apply to health plans that are issued or renewed on or after that date. Plans issued or renewed before then do not have to follow those parts yet.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rick Girdler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Amanda Mays Bledsoe
Republican • Senate
Aaron Reed
Republican • Senate
Brandon J. Storm
Republican • Senate
Greg Elkins
Republican • Senate
Julie Raque Adams
Republican • Senate
Matthew Deneen
Republican • Senate
Matt Nunn
Republican • Senate
Phillip Wheeler
Republican • Senate
Scott Madon
Republican • Senate
Steve Rawlings
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/31/2026
passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/12/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 51)
4/7/2026delivered to Governor
3/31/2026enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/31/2026Senateenrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/31/2026Senatepassed 38-0
3/31/2026SenateSenate concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)
3/31/2026Senateposted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Committee Substitute (1)
3/31/2026Houseto Rules (S)
3/27/2026Senatereceived in Senate
3/27/2026Senate3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)
3/27/2026Housefloor amendment (1) adopted
3/27/2026HouseCommittee Substitute (1) adopted
3/27/2026Housefloor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
3/26/2026Houseposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 27 2026
3/26/2026House2nd reading, to Rules
3/26/2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
3/25/2026Houseto Banking & Insurance (H)
3/24/2026Houseto Committee on Committees (H)
3/13/2026Housereceived in House
3/13/2026House3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
3/12/2026Senateposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 12 2026
3/11/2026Senate2nd reading, to Rules
3/11/2026Senatereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
3/10/2026Senateto Banking & Insurance (S)
3/6/2026Senateto Committee on Committees (S)
1/15/2026Senate
Bill Text
Current
3/31/2026
Introduced
1/8/2026
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