April 23, 2024

Hospital Discounted Care Newsletter

This newsletter provides information and updates on the implementation of House Bill (HB) 21-1198, Health Care Billing Requirements for Indigent Patients, otherwise known as Hospital Discounted Care. Low-income patients who aren't enrolled in Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) will have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance or charity care programs at the health care facility where they receive care.


Please visit our Hospital Discounted Care webpage for more information.

Hospital Discounted Care Updates

Upcoming Office Hours Topics


May 1 - Hospital Discounted Care Resources

May 15 - Unemployment Income


Office Hours will not be held May 29.


Backdating using Other Providers' Determinations


HCPF has recently received some questions about patients presenting Hospital Discounted Care determinations from other providers and what should be done in terms of accepting those determinations for older accounts within the current backdating period. 


When accepting a determination from another provider, facilities should apply that determination to any account that falls within the effective dates listed on the card, with best practice being to apply it to anything within at least the previous 181 days if that time period extends back further than the effective date listed on the card. 


As always, HCPF highly encourages providers to accept determinations from other hospital providers, as well as from CICP Clinics, federally qualified health centers (FQHC), and rural health clinics (RHC) as outlined in the Operations Manual. Accepting determinations from other providers helps reduce the administrative burden for both the facility as well as the patient. Hospitals are not required to accept determinations from other providers, including when deductions policies differ. Hospitals are also not required to accept determinations from other providers for a patient who was determined ineligible at their own facility.


CICP Sunset Bill


House Bill 24-1399 was signed by the governor on April 18. This bill sunsets the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) effective July 1, 2025. HCPF will be working closely with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition into the post-CICP landscape for both providers and patients. HCPF will ensure providers are kept informed of decisions related to the sunsetting of the program and invites all CICP and non-CICP hospitals to attend the CICP Advisory Council meetings to keep updated on this process.


The next CICP Advisory Council meeting is this coming Monday, April 29 starting at 1 p.m. Interested parties can join via the Zoom link in the Agenda, which will be available on the CICP Advisory Council website.

Office Hours


HCPF is holding office hours every other Wednesday at 9 a.m. No registration is required. The Zoom link and call in information are on the Hospital Discounted Care website.

Stay Informed

Sign up for the Hospital Discount Care newsletter to stay informed about the implementation of HB 21-1198.


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