ColoradoHB26-13282026 Regular SessionHouse

Medicaid Nonemergency Medical Transportation

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Katie Stewart (Democratic), Kyle Mullica (Democratic), Ty Winter (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health InsuranceHuman Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

More accessible, flexible rides for Medicaid members

Colorado Medicaid members have a right to medical rides suited to their needs, including mobility and communication help. Brokers must accept same-day and next-day requests and make reasonable efforts to fill them when feasible, including urgent and discharge trips. Brokers may encourage booking two days ahead, but cannot impose notice rules that unreasonably block needed care. Members can book single or recurring trips; preferred-provider requests become available only after all regions launch, with no steering except for corrective-action limits. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligibility checks must happen immediately, providers must get checking tools, and brokers must promptly report and resolve verification problems. Once verified, members can schedule rides under program rules. Ride-hailing companies can provide backup trips only when no enrolled provider can arrive in time or none is available locally; safety rules and documented reasons apply. Providers may speak directly with members about rides under state and advisory-board policies.

Medicaid medical rides become required services

Beginning July 1, 2026, nonemergency medical rides are a required Medicaid service for categorically needy members. The law also adds federally qualified health centers to mandated services, consistent with federal law. Colorado classifies eligible ride spending as medical services across eligible populations and services, rather than optional administrative costs. The state must seek available federal matching money to the extent federal law allows.

Medicaid ride rollout adds safeguards and requirements

The law takes effect July 1, 2026; its operative date is the later of that date and the 2026–27 annual budget act's effective date. It authorizes a statewide ride broker, with region-by-region rollout only after scheduling, eligibility, trip assignment, payments, support, onboarding, and enough providers are ready. Rides in designated regions must be scheduled and approved through the broker; direct state billing remains available in undesignated regions and during rollout or broker termination. State toolkits must be available at least 90 days before regional launch, with extensions allowed for provider readiness or delayed materials and instruction. Brokers must train providers and supply software without charges for licenses, setup, upkeep, upgrades, or training. Providers, brokers, or both must use digital dispatch records covering addresses, GPS locations, pickup and drop-off times, routes, miles, drivers, and vehicles; submitted data must be digital. Brokers must publish backup plans and share them with providers to maintain rides during outages and disruptions.

Medicaid members gain ride oversight and input

Members and providers can submit ride concerns to the state, which must report the number to the advisory board. The law sets no required response time or resolution. State and matching broker advisory boards include urban and rural members, ride and health providers, disability advocates, and public or nonprofit transportation voices. At least 40% must have direct ride-program operating experience; members serve two-year terms without pay or expense reimbursement, with public agendas and minutes. The state keeps final rulemaking authority and must give advance notice and allow public comments before rule changes. Beginning July 1, 2026, brokers must submit trip-assignment rules for state approval and online publication. Subject to available funding, the state must audit each broker at least annually and audit providers as resources allow, using outside contractors when needed. Provider audits need not be annual and can be prioritized using data, complaints, and other warning signs; public performance reporting is required.

Medicaid ride cameras include privacy protections

Ride providers generally must use two-way dash cameras and video systems to record trips, including pickup and drop-off. Fleets with five or fewer vehicles are exempt, and state policies must address privacy, legal requirements, and practical use. Beginning July 1, 2026, routine billing eligibility checks cannot require members to show identification cards on camera or be recorded. Video is not required for billing, but remains available for safety, monitoring, complaints, audits, and narrowly targeted program-integrity reviews. Providers need not keep or produce recordings beyond their standard retention period and cannot face penalties because recordings are absent afterward.

Medicaid ride providers face safety checks

The state must set and ensure qualification requirements for medical ride providers, drivers, and vehicles. Beginning July 1, 2026, brokers must check compliance; added training or safety rules must be needed for safety, program integrity, or service quality. Medicaid does not reimburse trips using drivers or vehicles that fail qualification, licensing, safety, or program rules. Licensed ambulance providers are exempt from this section's rules for transportation brokers and providers, not from all ambulance laws.

Federal ride funding offsets state Medicaid spending

For fiscal year 2026–27, the law reduces Medicaid appropriations by $76,639 from the general fund and $20.941853 million from the hospital provider-fee fund. This assumes $21.018492 million more in federal funds for fiscal year 2025–26, not a direct cut to individual benefits. Each reduction does not apply when its fund's appropriation is smaller than the adjustment; neither applies when the annual budget omits the specified Medicaid appropriation. The state must report on November 1, 2026, and November 1, 2027, to the Joint Budget Committee and the healthcare affordability enterprise board. Reports must cover reclassified ride spending, resulting federal funds and savings, implementation steps, remaining barriers, and recommendations; this reporting requirement expires January 1, 2028.

Ride providers gain control; brokers face limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, ride providers alone control driver schedules, vehicle dispatch, and driver management. Brokers—or the state without a broker—cannot limit vehicle counts, service areas, or service types. Trip caps, market-share limits, and other participation restrictions are allowed only to correct documented, serious performance problems. These restrictions require measurable criteria, a tailored and proportional time limit, written notice, and a meaningful chance to fix the problem. Brokers cannot own, control, or operate Colorado ride providers. State transportation contracts entered before January 1, 2026, allow broker-provided rides only until September 1, 2026; contracts made, changed, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, face the ban. The temporary transition provisions expire January 1, 2027.

Ride providers gain payment and notice protections

The state must set claim formats, required records, denial and payment standards, and a billing-dispute process consistent with Medicaid law. Claims that fail program-integrity, recordkeeping, or eligibility standards need not be paid. Providers must get at least 30 days' notice of new or substantially changed billing and record rules; old forms remain valid until expiration or the notice period ends, whichever is later. Temporary guidance cannot substantially change adopted standards except for program integrity or legal compliance; emergency actions require justification, limited scope and duration, prompt notice, and generally apply prospectively. Advance notice can be waived to stop ongoing fraud. Beginning July 1, 2026, inaccurate state or broker information alone cannot justify denying scheduled-trip payment when providers relied on it in good faith, knew of no error, and followed claims and record rules. Federal rules still control, and payment may be changed or recovered when the member was not Medicaid-eligible on the ride date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Carlos Barron
Republican • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Dusty Johnson
Republican • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Gretchen Rydin
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Regina English
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Sen. A. Benavidez
Affiliation unavailable
Byron Pelton
Republican • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Catlin
Republican • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Nick Hinrichsen
Democratic • Senate
Rod Pelton
Republican • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Scott Bright
Republican • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 242 • No: 23

House vote • 5/12/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 63 • No: 1

House vote • 5/12/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 55 • No: 9

Senate vote • 5/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 32 • No: 3

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1328 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1328, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 5 • No: 1

House vote • 5/4/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 56 • No: 9

House vote • 5/1/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1328, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1328, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
6/4/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
6/3/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
6/3/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/3/2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
5/12/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/11/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
5/8/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
5/8/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
5/7/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/4/2026House
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
5/4/2026Senate
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
5/1/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
5/1/2026House
House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
3/31/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
3/11/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
House Appropriations Preamend
PDF
House Health & Human Services Preamend
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Senate Health & Human Services Preamend
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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