CO HB1002

Health benefit plans must provide coverage for behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders that is no less extensive than coverage for physical illness, and must not discriminate in benefit design against individuals based on present or predicted disorders

Utilization review criteria must align with current generally accepted standards of care and use treatment criteria from nationally recognized not-for-profit clinical specialty associations; for substance use disorders, plans must apply ASAM Criteria

Health plans cannot apply more restrictive utilization review criteria than those set forth in recognized clinical sources, and cannot limit benefits for chronic conditions to short-term symptom reduction

Plans must authorize treatment with appropriate out-of-network providers at in-network cost-sharing rates when covered services are unavailable within established time and distance standards

Effective date is January 1, 2026, subject to potential referendum petition