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CO HB1069

CO HB1069
Availability of Emergency Medical Services


summary

Introduced
01/27/2026
In Committee
04/30/2026
Crossed Over
04/21/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill clarifies that "emergency services" includes transportation of an individual to an appropriate location other than a hospital or community integrated health-care service agency (agency). The use of telemedicine when an insured person has encountered an ambulance service or agency to prevent the need to transport the person to an emergency department is included in the definition of "emergency services", which services are required to be made available to insured persons 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The bill defines "first responder" to include: ! A peace officer; ! A firefighter; ! A volunteer firefighter; ! An emergency medical service provider; or ! A mental health professional who responds in a professional capacity to a justifiable medical emergency. The bill requires the executive director of the department of public health and environment to adopt rules by June 1, 2027, authorizing an emergency medical service provider with a community paramedic endorsement who is employed by, volunteering for, or contracting with a licensed agency to provide for the inventory, compliance, and administration of, or to directly administer, medications, procedures, or diagnostic testing. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires the department of health care policy and financing to reimburse the following entities under the "Colorado Medical Assistance Act": ! An ambulance service or an agency for transportation by an ambulance or other vehicle to a hospital or other destination as deemed appropriate by the ambulance service's or agency's medical director; ! An ambulance service or an agency for treatment on the scene of a medical emergency, which treatment does not result in transportation; and ! A qualified provider, an ambulance service, or an agency for evaluation by telemedicine of a person being treated by an ambulance service or an agency for the purpose of preventing the need to transport the person to a hospital.

AI Summary

This bill expands the definition of "emergency services" to include transportation to locations other than hospitals, such as crisis stabilization units, when clinically appropriate, and also covers treatment provided on-scene that doesn't require transport, as well as telemedicine evaluations to prevent unnecessary hospital visits, ensuring these services are available 24/7. It defines "first responder" broadly to include peace officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, emergency medical service providers, and mental health professionals who respond to medical emergencies. Furthermore, by June 1, 2027, the bill mandates that the Department of Public Health and Environment create rules allowing emergency medical service providers with a community paramedic endorsement to administer medications, perform procedures, and conduct diagnostic testing. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will reimburse ambulance services and agencies for transportation, on-scene treatment without transport, and telemedicine evaluations aimed at avoiding hospital transport, all under the Colorado Medical Assistance Act, which provides coverage for eligible individuals.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (31)

Last Action

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing (08:30:00 5/5/2026 LSB-B) (on 05/05/2026)

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