SB 25-121

Senate Bill 25-121, which has been signed into law, aims to help people with drug-resistant epilepsy by allowing Medicaid to cover part of the cost for a treatment called vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Starting in July 2025, Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will seek federal approval to reimburse hospitals and surgery centers that provide VNS therapy. Initially, they will pay 60% of the device's cost, increasing to 75% by January 1, 2029. This means that people who need this treatment but can't afford it out-of-pocket may get financial help from Medicaid starting in a few years.

Official Summary

Beginning July 1, 2025 No later than January 1, 2026 , the bill requires the department of health care policy and financing (HCPF) to seek federal authorization to reimburse acute care hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities that provide vagus nerve stimulation therapy to members diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy at a rate that is equal to 75% 60% of the cost for acquiring the vagus nerve stimulator device, which reimbursement is in addition to and does not supplant the reimbursement for any necessary surgical procedure associated with implanting the device. Beginning January 1, 2029, the bill requires HCPF to increase the reimbursement to a rate that is equal to 75% of the cost for acquiring the vagus nerve simulator device. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes