SB 23-222

Senate Bill 23-222 removes the requirement for Medicaid recipients in Colorado to pay copayments for pharmacy and outpatient services, effectively making these services free for them. The bill allocates over $1.8 million from state funds and anticipates receiving additional federal funding to cover the costs of this change. This means that people who are eligible for Medicaid will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket costs when they visit a pharmacy or receive outpatient care, starting April 20, 2023, when the bill was signed into law by the governor.

Official Summary

The act removes the requirement that medicaid recipients pay a copayment for pharmacy and outpatient services. $1,886,150 is appropriated to the department of health care policy and financing (department), consisting of $1,439,499 from the general fund and $446,651 from the healthcare affordability and sustainability fee cash fund, for medical and long-term care services for medicaid-eligible individuals. It is anticipated that the department will receive $5,459,357 in federal funds to implement this act. APPROVED by Governor April 20, 2023 EFFECTIVE April 20, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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