Committee advances bill to require insurance coverage for annual kidney‑function screening

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 10 19, a measure that would require health insurance plans to cover annual kidney‑function screening as a preventive service.

Sponsors told the committee that early detection of chronic kidney disease can prevent progression to dialysis and transplantation and reduce long‑term costs. Senator Rich and co‑sponsor Senator Roberts framed the bill as a preventive, evidence‑based change to expand access to screening tests (blood and urine tests such as creatinine and albumin screening) for people at risk, including those with diabetes and hypertension.

Testimony in favor included patients, community‑based nutrition educators and clinical experts. Metro Caring representatives described barriers low‑income families face in accessing follow‑up clinical testing. Kendra Burrell, executive director of the National Kidney Foundation serving Colorado, told the committee that kidney disease is often asymptomatic and that simple lab tests can detect disease years earlier. Dr. Seth Levy, a practicing nephrologist and Colorado Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force member, cited cost comparisons: treating later‑stage disease is far more expensive than earlier intervention.

Sponsors and witnesses referenced an actuarial analysis for the bill that estimated a minimal cost to insurers — witnesses cited a range of roughly 1¢ to 4¢ per member per month — because the screening labs are inexpensive. A sponsor also said the Division of Insurance suggested language to address how the benefit interacts with high‑deductible/HSA‑eligible plans.

The committee had no outstanding opposition in the hearing and moved HB 10 19 to the Committee of the Whole. Sponsors asked that the bill be left off the consent calendar because a pending federal regulation may require last‑minute adjustments.

Committee members requested additional technical follow‑up on HSA and deductible interactions and received a commitment from witnesses to provide supplemental information to the committee record.

The committee’s action advances HB 10 19 for further floor consideration and technical review by the full body.