Insurance companies have a history of restricting the network of providers consumers can access through a plan as a way to keep costs to the insurer down. Despite establishing network adequacy standards in 2016, we continue to hear from consumers running into challenges accessing providers. As part of the Colorado Option (a.k.a. Public Option) under HB21-1232, Colorado is adding additional requirements for Colorado Option plan networks to be culturally competent, provide language access when seeking care, and ensure provider networks are responsive to the populations they serve. If you encounter situations where you think an insurer has an inadequate insurance network or you’re unable to access the care you need in a timely manner, please contact us.

There are state and federal standards for hospital financial assistance (assistance provided to consumers that are uninsured/underinsured to help them cover the costs of their treatment). CCHI helped create the first state level standards with legislation in 2012 and 2014, however, through our Consumer Assistance Program, we heard from many consumers that were not appropriately screened for assistance or were incorrectly denied it. Working again with our partners at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, HB21-1198 was passed to ensure hospitals comply with consumer financial assistance standards, screen patients consistently, and set consumer protections around payment plans and debt collection practices. For more information on hospital financial assistance, visit our explainer page.

Big data can be used responsibly, but there are an increasing number of examples where it is being used, whether intentionally or not, by insurance companies in ways that exacerbate economic and racial injustices, including in health management. This is true across various types of insurance, not just health insurance. Under SB21-169, the first law of its kind nationally, insurance companies will be required to evaluate their data systems for discriminatory biases and injustice, and keep consumers whole while unraveling deep-rooted systems of discrimination, oppression, or racism.

Unfortunately, some consumers are left without consumer protections with insurance plans and health benefit products that do not have to meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, essential health benefits, and no annual/lifetime limits on coverage. While we have addressed some of these products in Colorado, like short-term benefit plans, which are now required to meet most of the same consumer protections, some products continue to leave consumers at great financial and health risk. CCHI is working to address health care cost sharing arrangements, which are organizations that sell options for health benefits that can appear to be insurance, but do not offer the comprehensive coverage and accountability of traditional health insurance plans. Furthermore, these arrangements put consumers at the center of payment negotiations and often leave them on the hook for large medical bills. CCHI supports policies that increase the transparency and accountability of these companies and products so that consumers can make informed choices about their health coverage and have more robust protection from unexpected medical costs.