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ColoradoHB26-10022026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Provider Participation in Health Insurance

Sponsored By: Byron Pelton (Republican), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Lindsay Gilchrist (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health Insurance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Payment protections for mental health care

Insurers cannot deny claims for medically necessary, covered care from in-network providers who have completed the insurer’s approval process. This includes mental health providers, substance use providers, and psychiatric nurses. Insurers must also reimburse these participating providers for covered, medically necessary care delivered by providers not yet licensed under their supervision. Supervisors must meet the required supervision standards. Patients get reimbursement for qualifying out-of-network supervised care only when their plan includes out-of-network benefits. The supervisor must submit proof of supervision, and payment follows the plan’s terms and publicly available insurer requirements. These rules begin on the act’s general effective date: 12:01 a.m. after 90 days following the 2026 session’s final adjournment, anticipated August 12, 2026. A referendum petition can change that date; if voters approve the act in November 2026, it takes effect upon the governor’s official declaration.

More accurate provider lists for patients

At the act’s general effective date, insurers must fix directory errors within 30 calendar days after a participating provider reports them. Providers must report changes to their name, address, phone number, business structure, or tax identification number within 15 business days. Beginning January 1, 2027, insurers must check affected mental health providers, substance use providers, and psychiatric nurses at least every 12 months. Checks confirm whether providers intend to stay in-network and accept new patients, with confirmation tied to a centralized national provider database. The rule covers providers with no claims in the previous 12 months or who have said they intend to keep participating. Insurers must use the usual contact method and update listings when needed within five business days after contact. After 30 days without a reply to contact or attempted contact, insurers must follow up by certified mail or electronically. If no reply arrives within 30 days after receipt of that request, insurers must remove the provider from the network. They must update directories within five business days after that deadline.

Stronger network protections for care providers

At the act’s general effective date, insurer application and approval rules also cover mental health providers, substance use providers, and psychiatric nurses. If an insurer fails to acknowledge a complete application within seven calendar days, it must treat the applicant as participating. That status starts no later than 53 calendar days after the insurer receives the application. When contracts allow renewed approval, insurers cannot require a new application or a new contracting process. Providers stay approved unless information shows they no longer meet participation guidelines; contract termination rights and required termination procedures remain unchanged. Insurers cannot deny approval or end participation solely because a provider gives or assists with legally protected care in Colorado. That protection applies only when the care complies with Colorado law. The insurance commissioner enforces these rules, makes implementing rules, investigates complaints, and can order civil penalties under existing authority.

Supervised practice requirements for clinical social workers

At the act’s general effective date, clinical social worker license applicants must complete at least two years of supervised practice. They must also complete at least 3,000 practice hours, including clinical social work training and work experience. Supervision can be online or in person. A licensed clinical social worker, or someone the board finds equally experienced, must provide supervision.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Meghan Lukens

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Rebekah Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Sullivan

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 109 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 30 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1002 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 51 • No: 13

House vote • 2/27/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1002 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

House vote • 2/10/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1002, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 11 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    4/27/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/16/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/16/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    4/16/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/26/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    3/10/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/5/2026House

  10. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    3/4/2026House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/3/2026House

  12. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/27/2026House

  13. House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations

    2/10/2026House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Health & Human Services Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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