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Committee advances draft to continue Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies for nine years
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Summary
After presentations and testimony from community paramedics and EMS leaders, the committee voted to introduce a draft bill to continue licensure of Community Integrated Health Care Service (CIHCS) agencies and adopt a statutory change to allow plea acceptances to be considered in licensing discipline.
The Senate Health & Human Services Committee moved to introduce a draft bill to continue the state's licensure of Community Integrated Health Care Service (CIHCS) agencies and to make a targeted statutory change on disciplinary grounds.
Ginny Brown of the Department of Regulatory Agencies told the committee that CIHCS agencies — often mobile integrated health or community paramedicine programs — provide nonurgent medical services outside hospital settings, employing community paramedics, nurses and behavioral health practitioners. The Division of Healthcare Facilities and Emergency Medical Services in CDPHE licenses and inspects CIHCS agencies. Brown reported that in FY20-23 the Division spent under $10,000 and 0.07 FTE on CIHCS regulation and licensed 11 agencies; since 2020 about 9,700 Coloradans received CIHCS services and 71% of agencies reported reductions in nonurgent emergency room visits.
DORA recommended continuing CIHCS licensure for nine years and proposed one statutory change: authorize CDPHE to act on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (in addition to convictions) when considering denial, revocation, or refusal to renew a CIHCS license for owners or managers whose conduct poses risk to patients. Brown explained that waiting for a final conviction can delay protective action and that acceptance of a plea would allow the Division to protect patients sooner.
Witnesses included multiple community paramedic program leaders, fire district chiefs and clinicians who described services — from in‑home infusions and medication management to behavioral health crisis response — and presented evidence of reduced 911 utilization and cost savings. Testimony emphasized improved patient outcomes, better coordination with hospitals, and decreased repeat 911 use among high utilizers. The Emergency Medical Services Association provided suggested statutory refinements and asked for more tailored definitions and minimum standards.
Jennifer Berman from Legislative Legal Services said the draft before the committee incorporated the CIHCS sunset report recommendations. Committee members then moved to introduce the draft as presented; the motion passed and the bill will proceed for introduction and subsequent committee review.
