[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6662246,"mediaKeyId","2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc","parentId",2398438,"title","Committee backs bill to increase transparency for Medicaid prepayment reviews after providers describe delayed payments","audioSeconds",998,"startMs",1104000,"endMs",2102000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc&start=1104&end=2102","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662246/Kentucky/Committee-backs-bill-to-increase-transparency-for-Medicaid-prepayment-reviews-after-providers-describe-delayed-payments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662246-bf9ff4926f7c65e3b703852019d81ab9/orig.mp4?Expires=1769986563&Signature=SErY992U8z699i5qc-2xbPKADfZoPMQ3zVcVJS~aDoe-qVzJ-GEgFegjV0jJWZdrlZLnABoKE9BvCk-U-ETQR5YMVIdZIXFqhkdvk7Xk8336cxUQpjzh88csegiuh6RB7oh4VWwcujj4h6CbdkVx6ySgwGRTRjRu5hDFVjZE1-flcysoC8dAFsl2H-E142iqwPVdAiY7Y40-Gr6J22cOcxB2vPZyX~~mGderYDjue9WX3Z7EbnuI~xzcVPTfQu-o0i7bPgqdHZTPfOIBPbMuWcaVS4IX7HYjsFl9ZLmSJiGWVszcOhA5VaW-t0OVJ~xfJqW4uM~sBwibcRi4BW61kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kentucky Legislature","date","2025-02-26T14:52:40.267Z","article","Senate Bill 153, a bill to codify notice and due‑process requirements for Medicaid prepayment reviews by managed‑care organizations, was amended in committee and passed with a favorable report after testimony from behavioral‑health providers and legal counsel.

Sponsor Senator Craig Richardson said the bill seeks to codify notice, timelines and transparency around prepayment review procedures that review Medicaid claims before payment. \"This is a transparency bill... specifically about prepayment review,\" Richardson said, adding the intent is not to eliminate prepayment review but to require clearer notice and guidelines so providers can respond and maintain cash flow.

Jessica Burke, chief legal officer for Addiction Recovery Care, told the committee the bill would prevent prepayment reviews from being imposed without adequate notice or explanation. \"Right now, prepayment review can be put on a provider with 48 hours notice. The provider does not have to be told why that prepayment review is there,\" Burke said, likening the current practice to being charged without knowing the charge.

Randy Hunter, chief executive officer of Frontier Behavioral Health, described an instance where his organization learned of a 20% reimbursement change from an MCO indirectly, then received prepayment review letters that cited only \"SIU initiated\" as the reason and supplied a disconnected phone number for questions. Frontier filed a complaint and sought emergency relief in Jefferson Circuit Court; Hunter said payments resumed but were roughly 75 days late and the organization incurred \"tens of thousands of dollars\" in administrative costs.

Committee members asked whether the bill would conflict with existing contracts between the cabinet (Department for Medicaid Services) and managed‑care organizations (MCOs). Sponsor Richardson and legal counsel said the bill is intended to codify what they described as existing regulatory practices under DMS and is not intended to conflict with valid contract provisions or federal law.

Senator Douglas and other members voiced support, saying the bill addresses real operational issues that can disrupt smaller or rural providers. The committee adopted the committee substitute and voted unanimously to report the bill favorably.

Votes at a glance: Committee adopted the committee substitute and reported SB 153 favorably; recorded vote was unanimous.

Provenance:
Topic introduction excerpt: \"Our last bill for consideration today is Senate Bill 1 53 with the process sponsor being center Craig Richardson.\" (block_id: \"block_1104.005\", local_start:0, local_end:120, evidence_excerpt:\"Our last bill for consideration today is Senate Bill 1 53 with the process sponsor being center Craig Richardson.\")

Topic finish excerpt (vote): \"Aye. The vote is unanimous. Senate bill 1 53 is amended. Passes with a favorable expression.\" (block_id: \"block_2082.01\", local_start:0, local_end:120, evidence_excerpt:\"Aye. The vote is unanimous. Senate bill 1 53 is amended. Passes with a favorable expression.\")","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Standing Committee on Health Services (2-26-25)","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 153, a transparency measure concerning Medicaid prepayment review by managed-care organizations, advanced unanimously after providers testified about delayed payments, unclear notice and administrative costs tied to prepayment reviews.","taxTitle","Health Services, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Kentucky","taxId",29203,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6662250,"Committee amends bill to strengthen pediatric hearing‑aid coverage, limits replacement frequency to three years",727,373000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc&start=373&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6662250/Kentucky/Committee-amends-bill-to-strengthen-pediatric-hearingaid-coverage-limits-replacement-frequency-to-three-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662250-30d631272fd89c9871a215978620eb98/orig.mp4?Expires=1769986563&Signature=PdnSqy~c6PfqGGRn7BrmxRh6fSyWW3wze7jOA4Nz1AV9AQg-sUhCWeUzxRkgE7VRANv2sBjM2zXkOA7~1YCKBu8WBEXGSQxo2N8m2cEVdwz-3p2Z2sH2AXcNbabCCr8iMi2s9NQAt4iN5-ZCqC310kSWbie0OAGkYu0Y9DuCIBb-fbvLSIIPhuvXUGaXtQLIY8mqgY~UmDeYVdh7IkAugGdm5lwd3XgdOoufYzUIQvN8hBPuqQJoGs~y5Ke8ePy3Of25jkTOdJLLzvRR5IrC6qthPpNfvfGLjsA4cZOsCxpe88eOqbLmYPUjKNB2N~pV4XLDUOdjNiXI2SFCktXMIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Wednesday amended and unanimously advanced Senate Bill 93, a measure aimed at strengthening insurance coverage and network requirements for pediatric hearing aids.

Senator Karen Berg, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the original bill included adults but the committee substitute narrows coverage to children and adds a requirement that third‑party administrators and insurers maintain pediatric audiologists in network. \"The intent of this bill was really for children,\" Berg said, explaining the substitute removes adults from the bill while addressing network adequacy concerns.

Jennifer Hughes, identified in committee as the impetus behind the bill and who testified with her 5‑year‑old son Everett, described the family’s experience paying out of pocket for hearing aids. \"When Everett turned 3, his audiologist recommended upgrading his hearing aids, and she quoted us a cost of $5,000... So long story short, we paid the full $5,000 for the hearing aids,\" Hughes said, describing how insurer allowable and balance‑billing practices left her family responsible for large costs.

Shelley Moats, a pediatric audiologist testifying in support, told the committee that early identification and intervention improve language outcomes and that hearing aids typically have a life expectancy of about five years but can require replacement because they are worn by active children. Moats said current device warranties commonly include unlimited repairs and a one‑time loss/damage replacement during the warranty period.

Committee members asked technical questions about costs and replacement intervals. Senator Mills asked whether parents should expect responsibility for maintenance and replacement; Moats replied that manufacturers typically include repair coverage and that the bill was updated to set a replacement interval not more frequent than every three years, noting that this mirrors current Medicaid guidelines in Kentucky.

Testimony included statistical context: about 58,000 babies were born in Kentucky in 2023, and proponents said roughly 175 of those births involved permanent hearing loss. An expert witness estimated that, in current dollars, families may spend about $30,000 on hearing devices alone from birth to age 18 if coverage gaps persist. Proponents urged the committee to address benefit structures and contracting practices that leave families paying high out‑of‑pocket costs.

After adopting the committee substitute, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably.

Votes at a glance: Committee adopted the committee substitute for SB 93 and advanced the bill with unanimous support.

Provenance:
Topic introduction excerpt: \"Next item on the agenda is hearing on senate bill 93. Senator Berg, Certainly welcome you to the table.\" (block_id: \"block_373.97\", local_start:0, local_end:98, evidence_excerpt:\"Next item on the agenda is hearing on senate bill 93. Senator Berg, Certainly welcome you to the table.\")

Topic finish excerpt (vote): \"Motion passes unanimously. So Senate Bill 93 is amended. Passes with favorable expression.\" (block_id: \"block_1074.695\", local_start:0, local_end:110, evidence_excerpt:\"Motion passes unanimously. So Senate Bill 93 is amended. Passes with favorable expression.\")","The committee unanimously advanced an amended Senate Bill 93 focused on pediatric hearing‑aid coverage, narrowing the bill to children, requiring adequate pediatric audiology networks, and setting a three‑year replacement interval consistent with Medicaid policy.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6662255,"Senate committee approves bill to create Kentucky Parkinson’s research registry, delays start to 2027",296,84000,380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc&start=84&end=380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398438-ec77d86b10e4c6945530765ed70a62cc/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6662255/Kentucky/Senate-committee-approves-bill-to-create-Kentucky-Parkinsons-research-registry-delays-start-to-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662255-5c14820066d93be2ac5c2f429b47cd53/orig.mp4?Expires=1769986563&Signature=EBdDwH5vgHSBUO-es0S-F63WoQp4AXiygBK6iXy2YsAY6hyVSawkcjy7U~line28taUCrS6dkgKjJMxuDcoV4Z9K0Tl7CgbW1Eut1A8phVvi9QVgk52pi14YWhK9HwlWEwT4JnxfM3y2cEmgbDjFb9AAE615kRD3D8XdQ7hdODu1hHY-hbJMQgW0kvM~Yne5qS7OSJgfjBLx5Jml4ZVoGxwHDxTHHsLFAlKxAHtWNcTfTP8m~NTHh~mDCpB9iYZ1L48RUcpcPcEA54hz699DBCTCKmU7K0BSgg~RFS1~P8BPCAWEj8Y~g6CwToovxMnHshdeCH9ZwlucqUokFah0AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 27, a measure to establish a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry and create standards for movement disorder centers, was amended by a committee substitute and passed with a favorable recommendation in a unanimous vote by a Senate committee.

The committee approved the measure during its meeting after sponsor Senator Brandon Storm introduced the substitute and described changes made since the bill’s initial hearing. \"We actually have a representative here from UK in the event there's any difficult questions,\" Storm said, and summarized the substitute as defining what a movement disorder center is, requiring automated reporting and moving the implementation date to 2027.

The committee substitute adds two named advisory positions: one representative from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine with expertise in Parkinson’s disease and one representative from the University of Louisville School of Medicine with similar expertise. Senator Storm said those roles followed consultations with the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and the Michael J. Fox Foundation as part of drafting the substitute.

Jane Rice Williams, executive director of Parkinson's in Motion, testified in support of the bill and described the clinical challenges of diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. \"Right now there's no way to diagnose Parkinson's except through watching somebody and talking to them and finding out about their symptoms,\" Williams said, noting there is no cure and that better tracking would support research and care.

Senator Storm said the registry would collect non‑identifying, aggregate clinical data to track diagnosis and care patterns and would include an opt‑out provision and a process to remove individuals who were inadvertently added. He said the substitute requires reporting to be automated rather than manual and that the registry would continue reporting to the committee annually during the interim.

Committee members voted to adopt the committee substitute and then voted unanimously to advance the bill as amended. The clerk’s roll call recorded an \"aye\" from each member present; the committee chair announced the bill \"passes the favorable expression.\"

The panel’s action does not itself create the registry; the bill must next progress through the Senate chamber and any further legislative steps before becoming law. The substitute’s delayed effective date—moved to 2027—was described by the sponsor as intended to give the advisory group and implementing entities time to build required technical and governance processes.

Votes at a glance: the committee adopted Committee Substitute 1 for SB 27 and approved the bill with a unanimous recorded vote in committee.

Provenance:
Topic introduction excerpt: \"mister chairman. Members of the committee excuse me. Brandon Storm, senator of the 20 First District.\" (block_id: \"block_84.565\", local_start:0, local_end:99, evidence_excerpt:\"mister chairman. Members of the committee excuse me. Brandon Storm, senator of the 20 First District.\")

Topic finish excerpt (vote): \"Aye. Vote is unanimous. Senate bill 27 is amended by its, committee substitute 1, passes the favorable expression.\" (block_id: \"block_359.435\", local_start:0, local_end:125, evidence_excerpt:\"Aye. Vote is unanimous. Senate bill 27 is amended by its, committee substitute 1, passes the favorable expression.\")","A Senate committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 27 with a committee substitute that defines movement disorder centers, requires automated reporting, adds medical-school representatives to an advisory panel and pushes the bill’s implementation to 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs bill to increase transparency for Medicaid prepayment reviews after providers describe delayed payments

Committee amends bill to strengthen pediatric hearing‑aid coverage, limits replacement frequency to three years

Senate committee approves bill to create Kentucky Parkinson’s research registry, delays start to 2027