CO SB116

Defines "inpatient hospital service" and "outpatient hospital service" by reference to federal regulations (42 CFR 440.10 and 440.20) and establishes "non-CICP health-care services" as services not reimbursed through the Colorado Indigent Care Program.

Requires health-care facilities and licensed health-care professionals to provide discounted care to qualified patients (household income ≤250% of federal poverty level) with monthly payment plans capped at 4% of household income for facility bills, 2% for individual provider bills, and 6% maximum for comprehensive bills combining all charges.

Prohibits facilities from denying discounted care based on failure to apply for public benefits, unless patient is determined presumptively eligible for medical assistance; excludes primary care in rural/frontier clinics with sliding-fee scales from discount requirements.

Requires health-care facilities and licensed health-care professionals to report annually beginning September 1, 2023, on screening and payment compliance disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, and primary language spoken.

Appropriates $154,598 for fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing ($135,747 for personal services and $18,851 for operating expenses), with anticipated $154,597 in federal matching funds.