Committee advances bill requiring no-cost annual kidney screening for insurance coverage

Vice Chair Leader and co-prime Representative Bacon asked the Health and Human Services Committee to advance House Bill 26-10-19, which would require insurers to cover annual preventive kidney-function screening without cost-sharing.

The sponsors said early detection saves lives and money. "Early detection of chronic kidney disease saves lives and saves money," Vice Chair Leader told the committee, citing task-force recommendations and an estimated statewide underdiagnosis. Representative Bacon shared a family health story to underline the bill’s life-or-death consequences and noted higher rates of CKD in some minority communities.

The bill’s witnesses included clinicians and patient advocates. Kelly Strother, chair of the National Kidney Foundation of Colorado’s board of advisors, said that simple blood or urine tests can detect kidney disease years before symptoms emerge and that cost-sharing leads patients to skip screening. Nephrologist Seth Levy said screening costs "only a few dollars" while late-stage treatment can cost tens of thousands per patient per year.

Members asked whether a mandate is necessary and whether insurers already cover such tests. Department of Insurance representatives said the legislation does not specify an age and noted that national preventive-services guidance does not currently list kidney screening, which affects coverage requirements.

Sponsors offered a strike-below amendment to address technical and insurer concerns (including HSA/HRA compatibility, specific test lists, and an exemption for state employee plans that reduced the fiscal note). Representative Bradley objected to aspects of the amendment during the roll call, but the amendment passed 7–5 with one excused.

After closing remarks from sponsors and supporters, the committee voted to send the bill as amended to the Committee of the Whole by a recorded vote of 8–5.

The bill’s next step is consideration by the Committee of the Whole. If enacted, the measure would require insurers to cover annual preventive kidney screening without cost-sharing; the bill text and amendment language will determine how tests, age ranges, and specific plan types are treated.