Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 Source: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) Copyright: 2003, Denver Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371 Author: John J. Sanko A VARIETY OF LAWS WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2003 Yo, snowboarders! Does your favorite wintertime activity - with risk of broken limbs and cracked ribs - make your insurance agent nervous? Fear not! A law that goes into effect at midnight tonight says you can enjoy your sport - within reason - without fear of losing your medical coverage. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, bars insurance companies from denying medical benefits to an individual based solely on that person's casual or nonprofessional skiing or snowboarding habits. Naturally, this does not apply to folks who snowboard or ski professionally, particularly those competing in the "extreme" contests. Fitz-Gerald, who is a recreational skier, said she introduced SB 107 because of a change in federal law that allows insurance companies to carve out what they might not cover based on how the injury occurred. In other words, fall off a ladder and break an arm, it's covered. Fall off a slope while skiing and break an arm, forget it. Well, maybe. Insurance companies insisted there was no way they would ever make skiing or snowboarding an exception to the coverage, but Fitz-Gerald wasn't willing to take any chances. "There was the possibility of a problem," Fitz-Gerald said Monday. "They would have had the option of not paying for an injury caused by skiing." Utah and Vermont, both ski destination states, passed similar legislation to protect their skiers and snowboarders as well as the ski industry, she said. The legislation is just one of 17 bills that become law in entirety or part in 2003. Most others approved by lawmakers at their 2002 session went into effect earlier. Also becoming law is HB 1287 by House Minority Leader Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, requiring courts to report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System the name of anyone with a civil or criminal record involving mental illness or substance abuse. The courts must report findings of incapacity as well as orders committing someone to the custody of the division of alcohol and drug abuse or involving court-ordered treatment of mental illness. At the time the bill was approved, Veiga said the legislation was aimed at closing a loophole in existing criminal background checks on gun buyers. "Ask yourself who you'd like not to have a gun, and I think you'll realize that it's not just those with overt criminal records that should be denied this privilege," Veiga said. Other bills becoming law with the new year: . HB 1003, increasing the amount of excess loss coverage of a self-insured employer from $10,000 to $15,000 per person enrolled in a health benefit plan. Other sections of the bill became law earlier. . HB 1013, clarifying laws dealing with a small employer that enrolls only one worker in a group health benefit plan. . HB 1032, allowing members of statewide benefit plan subject to fire and police pension association board rules to purchase or roll over service credit for any other type of public employment. . HB 1050, requiring auto insurance carriers to provide a statement of the cost savings if the insured opts for managed care. . HB 1055, clarifying the process for the review and adjustment of child support amounts. It reduces the period of time from 40 to 30 days in which either party may challenge the results of the review. . HB 1164, increasing the types of health insurance products that can be offered by a small employer carrier to small employer groups. . HB 1189, changing the special designation on the certificate of title for a salvage vehicle from the single letter "S" to the phrase "REBUILT FROM SALVAGE." . HB 1263, requiring insurers that provide coverage for substance-abuse treatment to provide coverage whether it is voluntary or court-ordered. But coverage is required only if deemed medically necessary and is otherwise covered by the plan. . HB 1281, creating a Colorado traumatic brain injury board within the Department of Human Services. A surcharge on those convicted of drunk and impaired driving will create a trust fund by July 1, 2004 to help pay for treatment of those unable to pay the costs. . HB 1353, requiring adjustments to health care claims to be made within 12 months after the date of the original explanation of benefits. . HB 1358, establishing a method for property tax assessments for bed and breakfast lodging establishments. . SB 21, updating a schedule of basic child support obligations based on monthly adjusted gross income of a non-custodial parent. . SB 146, requiring insurers to refund prepaid premiums for Medicare supplement insurance policies after 30 days of coverage. . SB 21, establishing a $50 minimum monthly child support amount for parents whose combined monthly adjusted gross income is $850 or less. . SB 188, requiring insurance plans with prescription drug benefits to provide policy holders with a prescription card containing uniform information. . SB 196, requiring real estate brokerage relationships to be disclosed in writing to a person engaging a broker. Prohibits dual agency and subagency real estate brokerage relationships. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth