New Laws/ Programs
The physician notification charity care requirements
Facilities are only required to notify physicians who provide services in the hospital setting of a patient’s determination (not all physicians).
HB 22-1401 Hardship Waiver Exemption Process
If a hospital is unable to meet its 80% of its baseline staffed bed capacity for 14 consecutive days, the hospital shall notify the department and submit either a plan of correction or submit a hardship waiver request.
HCPF’s campaign to address coverage losses when the public health emergency ends
HCPF’s campaign to address coverage losses when the public health emergency ends
The requirements for hospitals in HB 21-1198
Post patient rights and uniform application on the website, make patient rights information to patients in all patient waiting areas, inform patients, include patient rights on billing statement, screen all uninsured patients, screen insured patients upon request, follow patient screening best efforts, bill at the HDC rates (capped at 4% for facilities, 2% for physicians) for all qualifying patients, and notify relevant physicians.
HCPF’s plan to enforce the Hospital Transformation Program
Participation in HTP is a condition to receive CHASE supplemental payments and all hospitals' HTP applications and implementation plans have been accepted. Further, HTP includes at-risk funds that can be earned.
Process for survey concerns
CDPHE is the state survey agency for CMS- rigid, different set of rules compared to the Joint Commission
Process for hospitals to determine baseline number of staffed beds and the composition of staffing committee
Baseline staffed-bed capacity is calculated using the average number of staffed beds reported in EMResource between Jan. 1 and June 30.
The types of information the Insurance Commissioner can consider if hospitals are called to a premium rate reduction hearing
Current commercial reimbursement rates and costs, wages, staffing, benefits, training for health care employees, publicly available costs.
The timing of the Colorado Option
Plans will be available in the 2023 plan year- DOI is in the process of drafting/ finalizing regulations for the rate-hearing procedures/ final rates that will kick in for the 2024 plan year
Statutory requirements for the Colorado Option
New Colorado Option plan, mandatory premium reductions, rate hearing procedure process for providers carriers allege kept them from meeting their target.
Documentation practices for emergency plans
Hospitals are to update their emergency plan at least annually and as often as necessary, as circumstances warrant, and include in such plans provisions for providing testing, vaccine administration, and clinical treatments in response to public health emergencies.
HB 22-1401 Exemption options
Hospitals with fewer than 25 beds do not have to demonstrate surge capacity in their emergency plan. Exemptions from staffed-bed capacity reporting for: Rehab, Psych, Labor & Delivery, Mom/Baby, Ped beds in non-pediatric hospitals, and Neonatal ICU
Requirements for nurse staffing committees
Hospitals must have a nurse staffing committee in place by Sept. 1. Must develop and oversee a master nurse staffing plan and staff complaint process.
The financial assistance reporting requirements in 2023
Just CICP for the first 6 months- combined charity care for the final half of 2022- not broken down by HDC & CICP.
Engagement opportunities for HB 22-1401
Stakeholder meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of the month from Sept. 2022-Jan. 2023 (open to the public)- CDPHE is also accepting comments & questions via online form