Date: 02/11/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-061

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt prepared amendment L.009 (Attachment A). Th
Refer Senate Bill 09-061, as amended to the Commit		Pass Without Objection
PASS



10:00 AM -- Senate Bill 09-061

Senator Carroll introduced Senate Bill 09-061. Witness testimony on the bill occurred on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. She distributed amendment L.009 (Attachment A) and explained its provisions. The amendment specifies that a Colorado-licensed health care professional who lacks the appropriate expertise may perform utilization review related to an insurance claim, as long as he or she confers with a Colorado-licensed health care professional who has the appropriate expertise. If a Colorado-licensed health care professional is not available, the utilization review organization may use a health care professional who is licensed in good standing in another state and has appropriate expertise as long as the health care professional agrees to be subject to the jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the appropriate Colorado licensing board. She responded to questions from Senator Newell regarding how one could know if the consultations required by the amendment are occurring. Senator Carroll noted that there would be regulatory consequences if it was discovered that they were not occurring. She stated that the amendment provides a number of different ways in which insurance companies can comply with the provisions of the bill. Senator Carroll responded to questions from Senator Schultheis regarding whether or not a revised fiscal note based on the amendment is available, noting that the bill gives more options for compliance to insurance companies, and those changes could only reduce the cost of the bill. She responded to additional questions from Senator Schultheis regarding how often claims are denied by personnel without appropriate expertise.

09SenateHHS0211AttachA.pdf
BILL:SB09-061
TIME: 10:15:34 AM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.009 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Lundberg
Mitchell
Morse
Newell
Schultheis
Tochtrop
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


10:15 AM

Senator Mitchell discussed the bill and explained his vote. Senator Carroll responded to Senator Mitchell's comments. Senator Lundberg stated his belief that the bill will make insurance more expensive. Senator Schultheis stated his concerns that the bill will increase regulation of insurance companies.
BILL:SB09-061
TIME: 10:15:46 AM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-061, as amended to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Yes
Lundberg
No
Mitchell
No
Morse
Yes
Newell
Yes
Schultheis
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS