H_HIE_2017A 02/21/2017 Committee Summary

10:40 AM -- HB 17-1173



Representative Hansen presented House Bill 17-1173 to the committee. This bill expands the required protections for health care providers in contracts with health insurance carriers by prohibiting a carrier from taking any adverse action against a provider for expressing his or her disagreement with a carrier's decision. The bill defines adverse action to include limiting, restricting, denying, terminating or otherwise conditioning a provider's participation in one or more provider networks, including participation in a narrow network or location within a tiered network.



In addition, the bill states that the contract between carriers and providers must prohibit a carrier from taking any adverse action against a provider due to the provider:



• communicating with public officials or others about public policy issues relating to health care items or services;

• filing a complaint or making a report to a governmental agency about policies or practices of a carrier that negatively impact the quality of, or access to, patient care;

• providing testimony, evidence, opinion, or other public activity in any forum concerning a violation or possible violation of the required contractual provisions;

• reporting violations or possible violation of the law to an appropriate authority; or

• participating in any investigation into a violation or possible violation of the required contractual provisions.



A covered person or provider who is aggrieved by a violation of the required contractual protections by the carrier may seek injunctive relief in court and seek recovery of reasonable court costs and attorney fees.







10:51 AM -- Virginia Morrison Love, representing America's Health Insurance Plans, and Sara Orrange, representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified against the bill.



11:04 AM -- Benjamin Kupersmit, representing the Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.



11:11 AM -- Katie Reilly and Amy Cardone, representing Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.



11:43 AM -- Brad Young, representing RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.





11:44 AM



Representative Hansen distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).



170221 AttachA.pdf

11:55 AM



The committee adjourned.