HB 17-1173

House Bill 17-1173, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to protect health care providers from negative consequences when they disagree with insurance companies about patient care or report issues that could harm patients. The bill requires contracts between insurers and healthcare providers to include clauses preventing insurers from penalizing providers for communicating with public officials about health care concerns, filing complaints, or participating in investigations related to patient care. This law affects both health care providers and insurance carriers, ensuring a safer environment for reporting any issues without fear of retaliation. Since the bill has been signed, it is now enforceable state law.

Official Summary

The bill requires a contract between a health insurance carrier (carrier) and a health provider (provider) to include a provision that prohibits a carrier from taking an adverse action against the provider due to a provider's disagreement with a carrier's decision on the provision of health care services. Current law requires the contract to state that the carrier cannot terminate the contract for these same reasons. The bill also requires the contract to contain provisions that prohibit a carrier from: Taking adverse actions for communicating with public officials on health care issues; filing complaints or reporting to public officials about conduct by a carrier that might negatively affect patient care; provides information in a forum concerning the required contract provisions; reporting alleged carrier violations; or participating in an investigation of an alleged violation. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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