Know your rights as a patient in Colorado. With some of the nation's strongest surprise billing protections since 2020 and a groundbreaking hospital transparency law, Colorado leads in patient billing protections.
Based on CMS cost report data from 102 hospitals in Colorado.
Colorado hospitals charge an average of 3.3× their actual costs — lower than the national average, partly due to the state's strong transparency requirements. Compare prices at specific hospitals →
The federal No Surprises Act protects all Colorado patients, in addition to Colorado's own strong protections:
HB 20-1285 — Colorado Out-of-Network Billing Protection (2020) is one of the strongest surprise billing laws in the country.
If you receive a surprise out-of-network bill in Colorado, you are not responsible for the balance beyond your in-network cost-sharing. Colorado's law is broader than most states — it covers ground ambulances too. Reference HB 20-1285 to dispute any balance bill.
Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care program and federal 501(r) rules require hospitals to help patients who can't afford their bills.
Income threshold: 250% FPL (~$78,000 for a family of four) for discounted care
Colorado has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5). The clock starts from the date of the last payment or acknowledgment.
After 6 years, creditors cannot sue you to collect medical debt in Colorado. Making a partial payment can restart the clock.
Beyond surprise billing and financial assistance, Colorado provides these important protections.
Colorado's HB 19-1001 requires all hospitals to publish their prices publicly, including cash prices, negotiated rates, and Medicare/Medicaid rates. This goes beyond federal requirements.
Uninsured or self-pay patients can request a good faith estimate before receiving care. If the final bill exceeds the estimate by $400+, you can dispute it.
You have the right to an itemized bill showing each charge. Review carefully — billing errors are found in up to 80% of hospital bills. Use our bill review tool to check.
The Colorado Option (HB 21-1232) created standardized health plans that must reduce premiums by 15%, making coverage more affordable for Coloradans.
Colorado has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt under written contracts (C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5). After this period, creditors cannot sue to collect the debt.
Colorado HB 20-1285 (2020) prohibits balance billing for emergency services and out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. It also covers ground ambulances — broader than most state laws. Patients only pay their in-network cost-sharing amount.
Yes. Colorado's Hospital Transparency Act (HB 19-1001) requires hospitals to publish their prices publicly, including cash prices, insurance negotiated rates, and Medicare/Medicaid amounts. This goes beyond the federal Price Transparency Rule.
Contact the Colorado Division of Insurance at 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745 for insurance-related complaints. For billing fraud, contact the Colorado Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-222-4444.
Non-profit hospitals must maintain financial assistance policies under federal 501(r) rules. Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care program requires discounted or free care for uninsured patients below 250% FPL. Many hospitals extend this to 300-400% FPL.
If a hospital or insurance company is violating your rights, you can file a formal complaint.
For insurance-related complaints: claim denials, balance billing, network issues.
📞 303-894-7490 | 1-800-930-3745
File a complaint →For deceptive billing practices, fraud, or consumer protection violations.
📞 1-800-222-4444
File a complaint →Compare prices at 102 hospitals across Colorado. Click any hospital to see their procedure prices and negotiated rates.
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