CO HB1374

Requires freestanding emergency rooms (not attached to hospitals) that charge facility fees to post notices throughout the facility indicating it provides emergency services for emergency medical conditions.

Mandates that after an initial medical examination, patients determined not to have an emergency condition receive a written statement disclosing facility charges comparable to hospital ERs, potential lack of insurance network participation, separate physician billing, and recommendation to consult primary care providers for non-emergency conditions.

Requires freestanding emergency rooms to explain the written statement to patients, obtain their signature, provide a copy, and maintain the signed document in the patient's medical record.

Directs the Department of Public Health and Environment to convene a stakeholder group by August 1, 2016, to study issues including public education about care types, EMTALA-compliant signage, regulation of freestanding emergency rooms, facility fees and costs, and future health care needs.

Requires progress report by January 1, 2017, and final report by March 1, 2017, to legislative committees with findings and potential legislative or administrative recommendations; section repeals effective July 1, 2017.