GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) -A new Colorado law taking effect Wednesday will require private health insurance companies to use standard criteria when determining mental health care coverage, according to one of the bill’s sponsors.
House Bill 25-1002, sponsored by Representative Lindsay Gilchrist of Colorado House District 8, aims to create equity between mental health and physical health care coverage.
“Basically, ensuring that we have equitable mental health care coverage like we do physical health care coverage,” Gilchrist said.
Transparency requirements
The law will require insurance companies to provide transparency when making coverage decisions for mental health care.
“I think if insurance companies are required to show why they are denying or approving coverage, that just is a built-in layer of accountability that is critically important, and that we’re just all sort of working from the same playbook,” Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist said she has witnessed difficulties families face when navigating mental health care compared to physical care. She said the bill addresses some of those problems.
“It has been incredibly complicated for us, and I know for so many families across Colorado. And so, our vision and hope for this bill is that it makes it easier,” Gilchrist said.
Legislative process
Gilchrist said lawmakers faced pushback during the legislative process but reached a compromise with stakeholders.
“Up until passage, there was heavy negotiation and heavy intense conversations with relevant stakeholders to make sure that when we got to implementation, we were in a good spot,” Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist said the legislation represents a necessary change for Colorado families seeking mental health care.
“When you’re in crisis and you need support, a family shouldn’t be weighing how much it costs to get their child the right support to help them. And so, if we have increased coverage and access to that support, there are better outcomes all around,” Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist said the bill is a step toward ensuring Coloradans have access to health care.
Copyright 2025 KKCO. All rights reserved.