Dec. 3, 2025

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, major reforms to Colorado’s prior authorization laws will go into effect under HB24-1149, bringing meaningful improvements for surgical practices, medical teams, and administrative staff. Below is a combined overview of the changes that may affect your workflow and patient care.

New Protections for patients, physicians and practices

Medical Services

Prescription Drugs

Surgery

Alternative Exemption Programs

Now is a good time to review practice workflows to ensure compliance and take advantage of new exemption pathways.

For more information and detailed guidance, visit the new CMS Prior Auth Resource page (members only; login required). If you are having trouble logging in, please respond to this email or reach out to [email protected].

Colorado Chooses Vaccines -- of which the Colorado Medical Society is a coalition participant -- released a statement expressing deep concern by the recent changes to the CDC’s Autism and Vaccines webpage, which now promotes the false claim that vaccines cause autism. As CCV states: "This update is not based on scientific evidence. CDC career scientists did not initiate or endorse the change, and it contradicts more than three decades of research from the United States and around the world—spanning millions of children—that has consistently found the same thing: vaccines do not cause autism."

As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind you that the Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP) and the Doc2Doc Wellbeing Consulting (Doc2Doc) Program are here to support you.

The holidays can be a time of joy, but they can also bring unique challenges, whether it’s stress, loneliness, or navigating the complexities of balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

You are not alone -- Doc2Doc offers confidential support, resources, and guidance tailored to the needs of health care professionals. Prioritize your wellbeing this season and reach out if you need assistance. CMS and CPHP are here to help you thrive, every step of the way. Call (720) 810-9131 for support 24/7.

Your Care is at our Core: Driven by a passion for healing and to save lives, physicians dedicate years to training. Through medical school, residency, and fellowships, they prepare for every moment — routine or critical — that patient care brings. At every stage, physicians remain committed to empowering their patients with the knowledge and guidance they need to make the health care decisions that are right for them. Learn more and share your story to be used in CMS publications.

How would you use $50,000 to help patients in your community? The AMA’s Community Health Impact Lab Micro Grants Program is awarding $50,000 each to 20 physicians with big ideas on how to improve the health of their communities – and you could be one of them. 

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or call (888) 262-9105. 

Revenue pressure is mounting. In 2024, 44% of billing companies finished the year with less than 10% gross margin, and 64% of practices still struggle to collect what they earn.

Join Ease RCM CEO Aimee Heckman and Tebra’s Amanda Zeosky and Miriam Datskovsky to learn how leading organizations are improving collections, reducing denials, and building stronger billing operations for 2026 and beyond.

Can't attend live? Register to receive the recording plus Tebra's Beat Medical Billing Challenges Workbook.

Dues invoices for Colorado Medical Society members for individual physicians and practices who have opted into group billing are due Dec. 31, 2025 for the membership period ending Dec. 31, 2026. Pay early to ensure you have no disruption in benefits – especially if you are Copic insured and benefit from the significant discount in medical liability insurance! If you have updates to your contact information or billing contact, please contact our membership department at 720-859-1001 or [email protected].

Renewing individual members not on a group bill, please visit cms.org/renew to access your online invoice or check your email for your personalized link.

It is strict CMS policy that your personal information is never sold or shared.

Thinking about owning your own medical practice? Understanding liquidity—the cash you can readily access—could make or break your path to practice ownership. From covering early expenses to securing the right loan, liquidity plays a central role in your financial readiness. At Panacea Financial, we specialize in helping doctors at every stage of the journey. Explore practice lending options tailored to your unique situation and let our doctor-only expertise guide you step by step toward turning your practice ownership goals into reality. Read more » 

Panacea Financial is a division of Primis Bank. Member FDIC. 

Mary Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager. As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free.

720-484-6946   

www.medicareinsurancehelp.com

Medicare Insurance Help – Be Medicare CONFIDENT

Volunteer physicians needed to care for Colorado’s uninsured

Corvida Health Clinic (formerly Clinica Colorado) in Adams County is seeking volunteer physicians to help provide primary care to uninsured and underserved patients, many of whom are Spanish-speaking. The clinic offers flexible onboarding and scheduling to make volunteering accessible for active and retired physicians alike. Retired physicians may also qualify for Copic’s volunteer liability coverage.

If you’re interested in giving back to your community, Corvida Health Clinic—and other safety-net clinics through the Colorado Safety Net Collaborative—would welcome your support. Contact Vanessa Vergara, FNP-BC, Corvida Health Clinic medical director at 720-443-8461 or [email protected]. Visit their website to learn more about their work at www.clinicacolorado.org.

Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a CMS Community Marketplace ad! CMS members receive the first month free. Contact [email protected] for more information!