State Law

KY. Rev. Statutes-Chapter 304-Subtitle 17A-Health Benefit Plans-Managed Care Plans

08/05/2023 Kentucky Section 304.17A-540

Disclosure of limitations on coverage; Denial letter

State Medical Necessity Decisions-Deadlines

See bold sections below:

(1) Any insurer that limits coverage for any treatment, procedure, a drug, or device shall define the limitations and fully disclose those limits in the health insurance policy or certificate coverage.

(2) (a) Any insurer that denies coverage for a treatment, procedure, a drug that requires prior approval, or device for an enrollee shall provide the enrollee with a denial letter that shall include:

1. The name, license number, state of licensure, and title of the person making the decision;

2. A statement setting forth the specific medical and scientific reasons for denying coverage of a service, if the coverage is denied for reasons of medical necessity; and

3. Instructions for initiating or complying with the plan’s grievance or appeal procedure stating at a minimum whether the appeal must be in writing, any time limitations or schedules for filing appeals and the name and phone number of a contact person who can provide additional information.

Medical Necessity Decisions-Deadlines

(b) The denial letter shall be provided within:

1. Two (2) regular working days of the submitted request where preauthorization for a treatment, procedure, drug, or device is involved;

2. Twenty-four (24) hours of the submitted request where hospital preadmission review is sought;

3. Twenty (20) working days of the receipt of requested medical information where the plan has initiated a retrospective review; and

4. Twenty (20) working days of the initiation of the review process in all other instances.

See https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38715