CO HB1257

Clarifies that intermediaries between health insurance carriers and health care providers qualify as "persons or entities" subject to health care contract disclosure requirements.

Requires health care providers to disclose to patients their right to request nondiscounted charges for outpatient care or treatment and provide this information upon request before scheduling, except for emergency procedures.

Mandates health insurance carriers provide written notice to covered persons regarding relationships with third-party administrators, disclose all charges and commissions paid to administrators, and prohibit administrators from altering provider charges or adding charges to insurance claims.

Requires carriers to disclose to covered persons any administrative cost charges in addition to charges for care or services provided by health care providers.

Makes technical corrections replacing the term "intermediary" with "third-party administrator" throughout relevant statutes; effective January 1, 2013, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.