Colorado House Gets Hospital Payment Bill

Colorado lawmakers are considering a bill that could require hospitals in the state to take active steps to make sure that patients understand what they will be paying for care and what payment assistance options might be available.

The Hospital Payment Assistance Program bill, SB12-134, would require a hospital to offer each patient information about the hospital’s charity program and discount program.

A hospital would have to offer discounts to an uninsured patient with a family income up to 400% of the federal poverty level who is not getting a discount through the Colorado indigent care program.