Colorado Bill HB26-1070: Dental Network Agreements

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill HB26-1070 proposes new requirements for third-party network lease agreements for dental services. The bill aims to prohibit carriers from entering into such agreements without affirmative provider consent and from canceling contracts based on provider refusal. It also outlines carrier obligations if providers allow third-party access.

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What changed

Colorado Bill HB26-1070, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, seeks to regulate third-party network lease agreements for dental services. The core provisions prohibit insurance carriers from accessing dental providers' services or contracted discounts through third-party networks without the provider's explicit consent. Furthermore, carriers would be prohibited from canceling contracts with providers who refuse to grant such third-party access. The bill also specifies carrier obligations when providers do permit third-party access via these agreements, with certain exemptions for programs like medical assistance or specific brand licensee arrangements.

This legislation will require dental providers and insurance carriers operating in Colorado to review and potentially revise their existing network agreements. Compliance officers should monitor the bill's progress through the legislative session. If enacted, entities will need to ensure affirmative consent mechanisms are in place and that contract cancellation clauses align with the new prohibitions. The bill also introduces specific disclosure requirements for carriers regarding brand licensee programs. Exemptions exist for certain state-sponsored medical assistance programs and specific brand licensee scenarios, which will require careful interpretation.

What to do next

Monitor the progress of Colorado Bill HB26-1070 through the legislative process.
Review existing dental network lease agreements for compliance with proposed consent and cancellation provisions.
Prepare to implement affirmative consent mechanisms for third-party access to provider services and discounts if the bill is enacted.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1070

Third-Party Network Agreements for Dental Services

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Health Care & Health Insurance Insurance |
Concerning third-party network lease agreements for dental services.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill imposes requirements regarding a contract or agreement between an insurance carrier (carrier) and a third party concerning access to dental care services, including:

Prohibiting a carrier from entering into a third-party network lease agreement to provide access to dental care services or contractually agreed-upon discounts provided by a dental provider who is contracted as a participating provider (provider) with the carrier, unless the provider gives affirmative consent to allow the third party to access the provider's dental care services and contractually agreed-upon discounts;
Prohibiting a carrier from canceling a contract with a provider on the grounds that the provider refuses to allow access by a third party to the dental care services and contractually agreed-upon discounts provided by the provider; and
If a provider allows a third party to access the provider's dental care services and contractually agreed-upon discounts through a contract between a carrier and a third party, requiring the carrier to comply with specified obligations.
The bill create exemptions from the prohibitions on specified contract provisions in contracts between carriers and dental providers, including if:
A provider network contract for dental services is provided to beneficiaries of programs for medical assistance sponsored by the state of Colorado; or
Access to a provider network contract is granted to a dental carrier or an entity operating in accordance with the same brand licensee program as the contracting entity, and a list of the carriers or entities with the same brand licensee program as the contracting entity is made available to a provider on the contracting entity's website. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Anthony Hartsook
Representative

Kyle Brown
Senator

Iman Jodeh
Senator

Lisa Frizell

Committees

House

Health & Human Services

Senate

Health & Human Services

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/23/2026 | Reengrossed | PDF |
| 02/19/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 01/27/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/04/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1070 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 6-0. | Vote summary |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1070 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 10-1. | Vote summary |
Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/23/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 48 AYE 12 NO 5 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/19/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/26/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
| 02/23/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/20/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 02/19/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/17/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 01/27/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. K. Brown | Rep. A. Hartsook

Sen. L. Frizell | Sen. I. Jodeh

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

Rep. R. Gonzalez | Rep. E. Hamrick | Rep. M. Lindsay