KY HB726

Health benefit plans must reimburse covered telehealth services at rates equivalent to in-person services, including services from licensed home health agencies, unless providers contractually agree to lower rates

Plans are prohibited from requiring prior authorization, medical review, or administrative clearance for telehealth that would not be required for in-person services, and cannot restrict coverage based solely on the communication technology used

Requirement that telehealth providers be licensed in Kentucky moves from mandatory to permissive, allowing plans discretion on whether to require Kentucky licensure or recognized interstate compact credentials

Self-insured employer group health plans provided by state postsecondary education institutions must now comply with the telehealth coverage requirements in addition to other specified insurance statutes

Applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act