What is the prompt pay deadline in Colorado?

In Colorado, insurance companies must process clean claims within 30 days under CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-106.5 (clean claims: 30 days electronic, 45 paper).

Does Colorado have balance billing protections?

Yes, Colorado has balance billing protections under CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-704(3); CO HB 19-1174.

What is the statute of limitations on medical debt in Colorado?

The statute of limitations on medical debt in Colorado is approximately 6 years (2190 days). After this period, creditors can no longer sue to collect the debt, though the debt itself is not erased.

Can I request an itemized medical bill in Colorado?

Yes, under Colorado law (CO Rev. Stat. 25-3-122), you have the right to request a detailed, itemized bill from your healthcare provider.

Where do I file a billing complaint in Colorado?

You can file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General's consumer protection office or with the Colorado Department of Insurance. Visit BillError.com/states/colorado for direct links.

Colorado Medical Billing Rights

Q: Does Colorado have surprise billing protections beyond federal law?

Yes, Colorado has state-level surprise billing protections that go beyond the federal No Surprises Act under CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-704(3); CO HB 19-1174.

Your rights when dealing with medical bills in Colorado. These state laws work alongside the federal No Surprises Act to protect you from unfair billing.

✓ Balance billing protection ✓ Surprise billing law ✓ Medical debt protection ✓ Itemized bill right

Prompt Pay: 30 Days

In Colorado, insurance companies must process clean claims within 30 days. If your insurer takes longer, you may be entitled to interest or penalties. If your bill shows a payment date far beyond this window, it could indicate a prompt-pay violation.

CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-106.5 (clean claims: 30 days electronic, 45 paper)

Balance Billing Protection

Colorado law prohibits providers from billing you for the difference between their charge and the insurance-allowed amount for covered services. If you received emergency care or were treated at an in-network facility by an out-of-network provider, you should not receive a surprise "balance bill."

CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-704(3); CO HB 19-1174

State Surprise Billing Protections

Colorado has enacted surprise billing protections that go beyond the federal No Surprises Act. These state-level protections may cover additional situations, provider types, or offer stronger remedies than federal law alone. When state law provides greater protection, it takes precedence over the federal law.

CO Rev. Stat. 10-16-704(3); CO HB 19-1174

Right to an Itemized Bill

Under Colorado law, you have the right to request a detailed, itemized bill from your healthcare provider. This bill must list each service, procedure code (CPT/HCPCS), and individual charge. An itemized bill is essential for spotting errors — it's the first thing you should request.

CO Rev. Stat. 25-3-122

Medical Debt Protection

Prohibits reporting medical debt to credit reporting agencies; hospitals must screen for financial assistance before collections

CO HB 22-1285; CO Rev. Stat. 25-3-122

Statute of limitations on medical debt in Colorado: approximately 6 years. After this period, creditors generally cannot sue to collect the debt. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt may restart this clock.

Federal protections also apply. The No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022) protects all Colorado residents from surprise balance bills for emergency services and from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. You also have the right to a Good Faith Estimate for scheduled services if you are uninsured or self-pay. These federal protections apply regardless of state law.

File a Complaint in Colorado

If you believe a provider or insurer has violated your billing rights, you can file a complaint with these Colorado agencies:

Attorney General

Consumer protection complaint

Dept. of Insurance

Insurance-specific complaint

Think your Colorado medical bill has errors?

Use our free tools to check codes against NCCI bundling rules, look up Medicare rates, and generate a dispute letter citing Colorado-specific protections. Start with our 5-step bill checking guide, or jump to a specific bill type: ER bills, ambulance bills, insurance claims, or any bill type.

Check NCCI Codes Write a Dispute Letter

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. State laws change frequently. Statute citations were last verified for the 2022 legislative session. For current law, consult Colorado's official state legislature website or a qualified attorney. Generated using artificial intelligence by BillError.com (Amburd LLC).