Colorado Medical Billing Rights & Protections
Everything you need to know about fighting unfair medical bills in Colorado. Learn your rights, understand state laws, and take action.
Surprise Bill Protection
State + Federal
Balance Billing
Prohibited
Charity Care Law
Yes
Avg ER Cost
$2,600
Educational Content: This page provides general information about medical billing rights in Colorado. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or patient advocate for your specific situation.
Colorado Medical Billing Laws
Colorado has enacted comprehensive patient billing protections. HB 19-1174 prohibits out-of-network providers from balance billing patients for emergency services and for non-emergency services at in-network facilities. The law requires insurers and providers to use an arbitration process to resolve payment disputes, keeping patients out of the middle. Colorado also requires hospitals to have financial assistance policies and to screen patients for eligibility. The Colorado Option (HB 21-1232) created a standardized health insurance plan with lower premiums, increasing access to affordable coverage. The Colorado Division of Insurance actively investigates billing complaints and can order corrective action. Colorado's Hospital Transparency Act requires hospitals to post prices and provide cost estimates to patients.
Colorado has strong medical debt protections. HB 21-1198 (the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) provides additional protections beyond the federal FDCPA. The statute of limitations on medical debt is 6 years under CRS Section 13-80-103.5. Colorado requires hospitals to have financial assistance policies and to provide information about these programs to patients. The state also limits interest rates on medical debt and restricts certain collection practices.
Your Key Protections in Colorado
HB 19-1174 prohibits balance billing for emergency services and out-of-network providers at in-network facilities
Mandatory arbitration process for billing disputes between insurers and providers
Hospital financial assistance requirements with mandatory patient screening
Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides protections beyond federal FDCPA
Hospital Transparency Act requires price posting and cost estimates
6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (CRS Section 13-80-103.5)
Colorado Option provides affordable standardized insurance plans
Medicaid expansion covers adults up to 138% FPL through Health First Colorado
How to Dispute a Medical Bill in Colorado
Request an itemized bill with all billing codes from the provider
Check if the bill involves balance billing that violates HB 19-1174 — you should only owe in-network cost-sharing for emergency services and out-of-network providers at in-network facilities
Use the Hospital Transparency Act to compare prices — hospitals must provide cost estimates
Apply for the hospital's financial assistance program — Colorado hospitals are required to screen patients
Send a written dispute via certified mail with specific errors documented
File a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance at 1-800-930-3745 for insurance-related disputes
Contact the Colorado Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at (720) 508-6000
Important Deadlines in Colorado
6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (CRS Section 13-80-103.5)
30 days to dispute a debt with a collector
180 days for internal insurance appeals
1 year before medical debt appears on credit reports
Check Health First Colorado (Medicaid) eligibility — retroactive coverage available for 90 days
Average Medical Costs in Colorado
Avg ER Visit
$2,600
Avg Urgent Care
$215
Median Income
$82,254
200% FPL (Single)
$31,280