RELATES TO:

KRS 205.560(12), 216B.155(2), 304.17A-005, 304.17A-500, 304.17A-545, 304.17A-575, 304.17A-576

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

KRS 304.2-110(1), 304.17A-545(5)

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:

KRS 304.2-110(1) authorizes the commissioner to promulgate reasonable administrative regulations necessary for, or as an aid to, the effectuation of any provision of the Kentucky Insurance Code. KRS 304.17A-545(5) requires the commissioner to promulgate administrative regulations to establish a uniform application form and guidelines for the evaluation and reevaluation of health care providers, including psychologists, who will be on a managed care plan's list of participating providers. This administrative regulation establishes the uniform application form and guidelines for evaluation and reevaluation of a health care provider, including a psychologist.

1. Section 1. Definitions.

   1. (1) "Applicant" is defined by KRS 304.17A-575(1).

   2. (2) "Evaluation" or "credentialing" means:

      1. (a) A process for collecting and verifying professional qualifications of a health care provider;
      2. (b) An assessment of a health care provider's professional competence and conduct; and
      3. (c) A process to be completed before a health care provider may participate in a provider network of an insurer on an initial or ongoing basis.
   3. (3) "Form KAPER-1" means the uniform application for credentialing or recredentialing of a health care provider pursuant to KRS 304.17A-545(5).

   4. (4) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a:

      1. (a) Health care provider pursuant to KRS 304.17A-005(23); or
      2. (b) Psychologist licensed under KRS Chapter 319.
   5. (5) "Participating health care provider" means a participating health care provider pursuant to KRS 304.17A-500(10), including a psychologist licensed under KRS Chapter 319.

   6. (6) "Reevaluation" or "recredentialing" means:

      1. (a) A process for collecting and reverifying professional qualifications of a participating health care provider; and
      2. (b) An assessment of a participating health care provider's professional competence and conduct.

2. Section 2. Guidelines for an Insurer.

   1. (1) Except as established in subsection (3)(b) of this section, an insurer that offers a managed care plan and performs credentialing or recredentialing activities shall use Form KAPER-1, Part A to credential or recredential a health care provider who desires participation in its provider network.

   2. (2) Pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, an insurer shall:

      1. (a) Have a mechanism for making available and accepting from a health care provider a handwritten or electronically submitted Form KAPER-1, Part A for:

         1. 1. Initial credentialing; and
         2. 2. Recredentialing;

      2. (b) Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a Form KAPER-1, Part A, electronically or in writing:

         1. 1. Notify the health care provider of receipt of the Form KAPER-1 and, if applicable, of any omitted or questionable information included on the form;
         2. 2. Offer assistance to the provider, if requested; and

      3. (c)

         1. 1. Within sixty (60) days of receipt of a Form KAPER-1, Part A, provide an electronic or written notification regarding the status of credentialing to the health care provider; and

         2. 2. Extend the time period identified in section 2(2)(c)1, due to extenuating circumstances if:

            1. a. Additional time is required by the insurer to consider information submitted on the Form KAPER-1, Part A; and
            2. b. The health care provider is informed of the need for more time, including information relating to the extenuating circumstance, which caused the delay;
      4. (d) Provide electronic or written notification as established in paragraph (c) of this subsection every thirty (30) days after the initial notification until a final determination regarding credentialing has been issued to the health care provider;

      5. (e) Not require:

         1. 1. Information on the Form KAPER-1, Part A, which is not relevant to the scope of practice, health care setting, or service of the health care provider; and
         2. 2. Routine recredentialing of a health care provider more frequently than three (3) years from the previous credentialing date; and
      6. (f) Upon making a final determination regarding credentialing of an applicant in accordance with KRS 304.17A-576(1), provide notification of the determination to the applicant.

   3. (3) An insurer may use:

      1. (a) Form KAPER-1, Part A to credential or recredential an individual in its provider network other than a health care provider; and
      2. (b) The provider credentialing application form of the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare as identified in the introduction of the Form KAPER-1, Part A, in lieu of the Form KAPER-1, Part A.

3. Section 3. Incorporation by Reference.

   1. (1) The "Kentucky Application for Provider Evaluation and Reevaluation", Form KAPER-1 (10/2021), is incorporated by reference.
   2. (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Insurance, 500 Mero St., 2SE11, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This material is also available on the Department of Insurance Web site at: http://insurance.ky.gov.

History

(32 Ky.R. 1028; 1265; 1399; 3-3-2006; 33 Ky.R. 1726; 3028; 3193; eff. 5-4-2007; 35 Ky.R.1607; 2081; 2742; eff. 7-6-2009; Crt eff. 2-28-2020; 46 Ky.R. 1952, 2408; eff. 6-2-2020; TAm eff. 10-6-2021.)