HB 24-1399

This Colorado bill, HB 24-1399, will end the "Colorado Indigent Care Program" by July 1, 2025. Starting in February 2026, it requires annual reports on primary care services for low-income patients and sets up an advisory committee to help with healthcare billing policies until September 1, 2029. The bill affects people whose yearly income is below 200% of the federal poverty line who need discounted medical care. It has been signed into law by the governor and will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Official Summary

The act repeals the "Colorado Indigent Care Program" on July 1, 2025. For purposes of comprehensive primary care services, current law defines an "uninsured or medically indigent patient" as a patient whose yearly family income is below 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL). The act requires the patient's annual household income to be at or below 200% of the FPL. Beginning February 1, 2026, and each February 1 thereafter, the act requires the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to prepare and submit an annual report to the general assembly, the joint budget committee, the governor, and the medical services board concerning the status of the primary care fund. The act creates the hospital discounted care advisory committee in the state department to advise the state department on the operations and policies of health-care billing for indigent patients. The act repeals the advisory committee on September 1, 2029. No later than July 1, 2025, the act requires the medical services board, in consultation with the Colorado healthcare affordability and sustainability enterprise, to promulgate rules concerning the policy for qualification for disproportionate share hospital payments. APPROVED by Governor April 18, 2024 EFFECTIVE July 1, 2025(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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