SB 25-048

Senate Bill 25-048, also known as the Diabetes Prevention and Obesity Treatment Act, requires large group health insurance plans in Colorado to cover treatments for obesity and pre-diabetes starting January 1, 2027. This includes programs similar to the national diabetes prevention program, nutritional counseling, intensive behavioral therapy, and certain surgeries like metabolic or bariatric surgery. Insurance companies must also offer policyholders the option to buy coverage for FDA-approved weight loss medications, including at least one type of GLP-1 medication. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these requirements will go into effect as planned.

Official Summary

Beginning January 1, 2027, the act requires large group health benefit plans to provide coverage for the treatment of the chronic disease of obesity and the treatment of pre-diabetes, including coverage for a comparable program to the national diabetes prevention program, medical nutrition therapy, intensive behavioral or lifestyle therapy, and metabolic and bariatric surgery. For a large group health benefit plan offered in the state, the act requires carriers to offer the policyholder the option to purchase coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, including at least one FDA-approved GLP-1 medication. The commissioner of insurance may adopt rules for the implementation of the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes