Page 1 of 2 LRC 2025-BR82-SB93
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY FISCAL NOTE STATEMENT
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION
2025 REGULAR SESSION
MEASURE
2025 BR NUMBER 82 SENATE BILL NUMBER 93
TITLE AN ACT relating to coverage for hearing loss.
SPONSOR Senator Karen Berg
FISCAL SUMMARY
STATE FISCAL IMPACT: YES NO UNCERTAIN
OTHER FISCAL STATEMENT (S) THAT MAY APPLY: ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS
LOCAL MANDATE CORRECTIONS IMPACT HEALTH BENEFIT MANDATE STATE
EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN IMPACT
APPROPRIATION UNIT(S) IMPACTED: Medicaid Services; Personnel/Kentucky Employees’ Health
Plan
FUND(S) IMPACTED: GENERAL ROAD FEDERAL RESTRICTED Various
FISCAL ESTIMATES 2024-2025 2025-2026 ANNUAL IMPACT AT FULL
IMPLEMENTATION
REVENUES
EXPENDITURES $320,000 $640,000
NET EFFECT ($320,000) ($640,000)
( ) indicates a decrease/negative
PURPOSE OF MEASURE: The measure makes provisions for coverage of hearing aids and
related services and cochlear implants by health plans offered through self-insured employer
group plans, postsecondary institutions, Medicaid, and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance
Plan (KCHIP).
FISCAL EXPLANATION : The fiscal analysis estimates the impact related to the Department
for Medicaid Services (DMS) and to the Kentucky Employees’ Health Plan (KEHP) which is
administered by the Personnel Cabinet.
Department for Medicaid Services
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services estimates that Senate Bill 93 would not result in
increased costs for the DMS.
Kentucky Employees’ Health Plan
The estimated annual cost increase for the KEHP is projected to reach up to $640,000, effective
in Plan Year 2026. This translates to an additional cost of up to $4.49 per planholder/employee,
based on current enrollment and utilization levels. Since the KEHP trust is funded through both Page 2 of 2 LRC 2025-BR82-SB93
employee and employer premium contributions, this increase will require a corresponding rise in
plan premiums, which will be shared by both parties.
DATA SOURCE(S): Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Personnel Cabinet
PREPARER: Miriam Fordham; Jeremy Simpson NOTE NUMBER: 59 REVIEW: JMR DATE:
2/19/2025