CO HB1115

Establishes a medicaid expansion premium assistance pilot program to provide healthcare coverage to up to 2,000 adults with incomes between 100% and 133% of the federal poverty line who are newly eligible for Colorado's medical assistance program.

Requires the state department of health care policy and financing to conduct a comprehensive study by January 1, 2016, analyzing the feasibility of a premium assistance program, including analysis of other states' programs, federal medicaid law requirements, cost-effectiveness, appropriate outcome measures, and the hospital provider fee.

Mandates the state department and commissioner of insurance enter into memorandums of understanding with private insurers regarding premium payments, reporting requirements, and data-sharing obligations.

Requires the state auditor to conduct a performance and fiscal audit after the second full year of pilot program implementation, evaluating program effectiveness including provider access, service utilization, hospital admissions, and cost comparisons to traditional medicaid.

The pilot program and study provisions repeal effective July 1, 2016, and the act takes effect August 6, 2014, subject to potential referendum petition.