2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
KMA PRIORITIES FOR 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
TELEHEALTH : Federal and State government relaxed many restrictive telehealth rules ( e . g . prohibition against audio-only ) and expanded telehealth coverage ( e . g . additional E / M services ) in response to COVID-19 . Stakeholders , including KMA , will advocate that certain changes become permanent .
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
COVID-19 LIABILITY PROTECTIONS : Coronavirus-related lawsuits are already being filed across the country . Health care providers need protection from such actions . The 2020 Senate Bill 150 , which was enacted during the final hours of last session , did not go far enough . Stronger legislation is needed that grants immunity for health care providers who deliver coronavirus-related care .
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY : Insurers often design and apply managed care techniques in more restrictive ways for mental health and addiction treatment . Legislation is necessary to require insurers to demonstrate compliance with federal law in terms of how they design and apply their managed care practices .
TOBACCO LOCAL CONTROL : Every year in Kentucky , smoking directly causes 8,900 deaths and leads to more than $ 1.9 billion in health care costs , nearly $ 600 million of which comes from the state Medicaid program . Local control of certain tobacco policies is prohibited by state law . Legislation is needed to give county and city governments control to regulate the use , display , sale , and distribution of tobacco products , including e-cigarettes .
CO-PAY ACCUMULATOR : Legislation that would prohibit payers from enacting co-pay accumulator policies that do not count third-party financial assistance ( e . g . co-pay cards ) toward a patient ’ s out-of-pocket expenses .
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR MAT : Legislation that would remove prior authorization requirements for FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder .
2021 Legislative Priorities Provided by Kentucky Medical Association JANUARY 2021 15