Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Health Care, Improve Surprise Medical Billing Protections

HB22-1284 provides clarity, aligns Colorado with updated federal law

DENVER, CO - The Senate today signed off on a bipartisan bill to improve Colorado’s surprise medical billing protections by aligning them with recently passed federal legislation.

HB22-1284, sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, provides clarity to consumers, providers and insurance carriers about how to move forward with surprise billing protections. This bill also adds balance billing protections for post-stabilization services to ensure that patients are protected from surprise bills until they can consent and be safely transferred to an in-network facility.

“We need to do everything we can to protect Coloradans from malicious surprise billing practices, and instead help them access the care they need while saving them money,” said Pettersen. “With this bill, we will be able to improve protections for patients, lower the cost of health care, and improve patient outcomes as we work to build a healthier Colorado for all.”

The legislation mirrors the federal law’s notice and consent requirements to ensure that out-of-network providers and facilities provide notice to a consumer before a scheduled service, including an estimate of the total charges the consumer will be responsible for.

It also updates Colorado law to allow for a 90-day period of continued coverage at in-network rates for transitional care.

HB22-1284 now moves to the House for concurrence with Senate amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.