SB14-050 Summary

• Requires each Colorado hospital to inform patients on billing statements of their rights to financial assistance or charity care, including website, email, and telephone contact information.

• Hospitals must self-report any omissions of required information, incorrect billing, or other noncompliance to the Department of Public Health and Environment, and the department cannot investigate hospitals solely for self-correcting errors unless there is good cause.

• Establishes enforcement procedures allowing the Department to fine hospitals up to $5,000 for knowing or willful noncompliance, plus an additional $5,000 if corrective action plans are not filed within 90 days (or 120 days if approved).

• Creates the Hospital Financial Assistance Standards Committee consisting of the executive director of the Department, three hospital representatives (general, urban, and rural), and three consumer organization representatives to develop uniform standards by December 31, 2014.

• Appropriates $49,161 and 0.8 FTE to the Department of Public Health and Environment for fiscal year 2014-2015 to implement the bill's requirements.