Bill to protect patients from surprise medical bills passes Colorado Senate
DENVER After years of similar bills failing in committee, the state Senate passed the "Out-of-network Health Care Services bill," a bill filed in response to the 9Wants to Know investigation "Lien On Me."
That investigation detailed how out-of-network doctors might work at otherwise in-network health care facilities.
The bill, aimed at curtailing the practice of "surprise medical bills," passed the Senate with a bipartisan contingent of senators. Four Republican senators, including Minority Leader Chris Holbert (R-Lone Tree), voted against the measure.
It now goes back to the state House where it was previously passed (before some minor changes in the Senate) by a wide margin. It is expected to pass the House again.
The bill aims to eliminate what its sponsors call deceptive trade practices taking place inside Colorado hospitals and other medical facilities. The "Lien on Me" series focused on how patients in the state have gone to an in-network facility for care, only to be treated by an out-of-network doctor without being told. That practice has led to massive, surprise medical bills for many of our neighbors.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/bill-to-protect-patients-from-surprise-medical-bills-passes-colorado-senate/73-f557ca9b-df21-43dd-acc9-94a20c7852b4