What Will Patients Do In Wake Of Copayment Relief Veto
COPAYMENT BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN A WIN FOR RESIDENTS WHO NEED AFFORDABLE CARE
DENVER, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Chiropractic Association is deeply disappointed by Governor Hickenlooper's veto of HB 1108.
The bill, concerning limits on copayments for patients seeking physical rehabilitation services, passed the state legislature with bi-partisan support. The bill was designed to address the growing problem of patients having to pay increasing insurance premiums and deductibles on top of copayments that in some instances are greater than the reimbursement the provider receives.
"Buyers of insurance, individuals and employers alike, are buying insurance and not getting the coverage they purchased," said CCA President Michael Masteller, DC. "When the cost of copayments actually discourage patients from seeking treatment, those patients are paying for benefits they don't receive – resulting in "phantom or fake" benefits.
"We asked our state leaders to address this problem with HB 1108," Masteller continued. "So, our questions for the Governor are now who is looking out for consumers in Colorado and where do we go from here to address this important issue?"
The CCA is committed to finding a solution to this challenge and is committed to work with the Governor and legislative leaders on their plan to move forward to protect consumers and treat patients.
The bill would have provided equal copayments for rehab therapy including chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Governors from Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana and South Dakota have signed legislation similar to the bill vetoed by Colorado's governor Friday.
About the CCA
The Colorado Chiropractic Association has been the professional association of choice for Colorado doctors of chiropractic since 1917. Today the CCA represents the 1,800 doctors of chiropractic actively practicing in Colorado. For a referral to a doctor of chiropractic, please visit needchiro.com or contact the CCA at (303) 755-9011 or (800) 829-0339.
SOURCE Colorado Chiropractic Association
Share this article