New York governor signs bill to expand coverage for breast imaging
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Tuesday signed a bill to expand coverage for breast imaging.
Legislation S.2465C/A.1696C changes parts of state insurance laws to require individual, group and nonprofit (including HMO) health plans to reimburse for both breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging. This applies to scenarios where a physician recommends such exams based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines and includes mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs.
The bill also clarifies that cost-sharing will not apply to such procedures, except “to the extent it would result in health savings account ineligibility under IRS guidelines.”
“Every woman in New York State should have access to the full scope of coverage options for breast cancer screening and imaging, which is key to early diagnosis and treatment,” Hochul said in a statement shared on the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “This legislation ensures that critical preventative services are available without financial constraint—saving lives and setting a new standard of care for New Yorkers.”
The legislation defines “nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines” to include “evidence-based standards developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies using a transparent methodology and reporting structure.”
Local lawmakers who led this legislative drive celebrated on Oct. 1.
“With the signing of this critical legislation, we take a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer,” State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud, a Democrat representing the 19th District in southeast Brooklyn, said in the same statement. “This expansion of insurance coverage for screenings and imaging will empower individuals to prioritize their health without the burden of cost and ensure that early detection becomes a standard, not a privilege.”
Alaska also recently passed legislation bolstering coverage for supplemental breast imaging in September. Advocacy organization Susan G. Komen has a running tally of activity on this front here, with over 20 states introducing legislation in 2024. SGK 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.