SB18-146 Summary

• Requires freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) to provide written notice to patients immediately upon registration stating the facility treats emergency medical conditions, will screen and treat regardless of ability to pay, and patients have rights to ask questions about treatment options and costs.

• FSEDs must post visible signage in check-in areas and disclose whether they include an urgent care center or primary care clinic; facilities without these must state "This is not an urgent care center or primary care provider."

• After medical screening or stabilization, FSEDs must provide written disclosure including insurance network participation, chargemaster prices for 25 most common services, facility fee information, and website address where pricing information can be found; disclosures must be updated at least every six months.

• State Board of Health may adopt rules to implement and enforce transparency requirements; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment receives $34,725 appropriation for 0.5 FTE to administer the program.

• Effective date is January 1, 2019, subject to referendum petition provisions; does not affect existing hospital obligations under other Colorado statutes.