S_HHS_2024A 04/17/2024 02:05:38 PM Committee Summary

Senators Rodriguez and Kirkmeyer, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-110 which, prohibits the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing from imposing prior authorization requirements on antipsychotic drugs if the patient was prescribed and unsuccessfully treated with an antipsychotic drug that was on the preferred drug list, within the last year.

Senator Rodriguez provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Alexis Alltop, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Bridget Anshus, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Selena Owen, representing RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Lucy Carroll, representing WellPower, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ray Merenstein, representing NAMI Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Jim Leonard, representing Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, was available to answer committee questions.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Senator Kirkmeyer introduced amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Mr. Leonard returned to answer questions about the amendment.

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senators Roberts and Fields, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1005 which, requires state-regulated health insurance plans (carriers) to include primary care providers (providers) as in-network providers if they are credentialed Medicaid providers and meet select additional criteria. If the provider is servicing a client that receives benefits from Medicaid, the carrier is prohibited from requiring additional credentials.

By December 31, 2025, the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory agencies must promulgate rules to establish a process for determining whether a provider meets the criteria, and contract with an actuary to develop a reimbursement fee schedule for contractor reimbursements issued to providers.

The bill applies to health insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, but does not apply to Denver Health or workers’ compensation plans.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Mr. Brian Moore, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Nina DiSalvo, representing Towards Justice, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Bishop, representing Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Dollar, representing Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.

Joshua Ewing, representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jennifer Riley, representing Memorial Regional Health, testified in opposition to the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senator Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1010 which, for persons requiring a provider-administered prescription drug that is covered by a health insurer, the bill prohibits the insurance carriers from:
· requiring that provider-administered prescription drugs be dispensed only by specific network pharmacies;
· limiting coverage for provider-administered prescription drugs due to an insured person’s preferred participating provider;
· imposing additional fees or copays on provider-administered prescription drugs due to an insured person’s preferred participating provider; or
· requiring that providers bill certain provider-administered prescription drugs under the pharmacy benefit rather than the medical benefit without consent.
The bill also requires that the reimbursement rate for covered provider-administered drugs be at the carrier’s in-network rate for participating providers.

Mr. Patrick Boyle, representing Pharmacy Care Management Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Saskia Young, representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified to amend the bill.

Karlee Tebbutt, representing America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), testified to amend the bill.

Debra Judy, representing Division of Insurance, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Dr. Leslie Busby, representing Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Emily Zadvorny, representing Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Evan Slater, representing Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, testified in support of the bill.

Joshua Ewing, representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment D).

Committee members asked the panel questions.