CO HB1294

Requires medicaid managed care plans and health benefit plans to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products at no cost to women starting January 1, 2018.

Mandates coverage of voluntary sterilization procedures, patient education and counseling on contraception, and follow-up services including side effect management and device insertion/removal.

Prohibits health insurers and medicaid managed care entities from imposing restrictions, delays, or prior authorization requirements on contraceptive coverage.

Requires coverage to be available to all covered persons including dependents, and allows provider-prescribed alternatives if a covered method is deemed medically inadvisable.

Applies to health benefit plans issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2018, with effectiveness subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.