State becomes the 26th to pass legislation bolstering breast imaging coverage
Alaska recently became the 26th state to pass legislation bolstering coverage for supplemental breast imaging.
This year alone, over 540 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the state and 60 will die of the disease. “Exorbitant” out-of-pocket costs for exams such as ultrasound and MRI may be keeping Alaskans from undergoing these tests, or making “significant financial sacrifices,” notes Susan G. Komen.
However, in January, Rep. Zack Fields introduced legislation closing insurance coverage gaps for breast imaging. Lawmakers in the Last Frontier recently passed the bill, with the Dallas-based breast care advocacy group applauding the decision on Tuesday.
“We thank the Alaska legislature for their work to eliminate barriers to care so that people with state-regulated health plans receive their medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental imaging without any patient cost sharing,” Molly Guthrie, VP of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen, said in a statement. “This life-saving legislation means they can now receive the breast imaging they require, leading to an earlier breast cancer diagnosis and often better health outcomes,” she added later.
The legislation eliminates any out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. While no-cost mammograms are already covered under health plans, some women may require additional examinations. But gaps in coverage can result in individuals paying $234 for a breast ultrasound or over $1,000 for an MRI, previous Komen research found. About 12% of individuals are called back for additional imaging after an abnormal screening, and one study found that about 1 in 5 patients would forego recommended follow-up, if they had to pay a deductible.
“Alaskans who can afford diagnostic imaging are more likely to survive a breast cancer diagnosis,” Rep. Fields said in a statement earlier this year. “My bill will level the playing field for all Alaskans and make diagnostic imaging affordable for all, saving lives in the process.”
Alaska joins other states such as New Hampshire, Louisiana and Iowa that have passed similar breast imaging-related bills in 2024. Komen also continues to lobby Congress to advance the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act, which would make these changes apply nationwide.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.