Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE "COLORADO MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT" TO DETERMINATIONS OF APPROPRIATENESS OF MEDICAL CARE UNDER HEALTH CARE COVERAGE POLICIES.

Summary of Assessment

            This bill amends the definition of the practice of medicine as defined in the Medical Practice Act. It amends the definition to include the act of determining the appropriateness of medical care as it relates to the coverage of health care benefits. The bill would become effective ninety days after the Legislature adjourns unless a referendum petition is filed and approved by the voters.

            This bill will require persons who determine the appropriateness of medical care for managed care organizations, that is their medical directors, to be regulated by the Board of Medical Examiners, Department of Regulatory Agencies. This will increase the number of persons who apply for licensure and the number of complaints arising from noncompliance. Increases in the number of applications for licensure and the number of complaints are expected to be insignificant, and could be absorbed within the board's current spending authority. This bill will not affect any other state agency or unit of local government. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Regulatory Agencies