To Amend The Law Concerning Coverage Of Examinations For Breast Cancer; And To Clarify The Cost-sharing Requirements For Examinations For Breast Cancer.
Summary
HB1309 amends Arkansas law governing insurance coverage for breast cancer examinations. The bill clarifies that health benefit plans may not impose copayments or deductibles for screening mammograms, even when services are billed on different dates or when more than one covered service is provided on the same date. It also adds breast ultrasound to the list of services that cannot be subject to deductible or copayment cost-sharing requirements under those circumstances.
The bill further requires that cost-sharing for diagnostic breast cancer examinations, including breast magnetic resonance imaging, be no less favorable than the cost-sharing applied to screening breast cancer examinations. In addition, it revises language concerning mammographies performed in unaccredited facilities and specifies that the section applies to a credentialed or accredited place of service where the service is provided.
Impact
HB1309 updates Arkansas Code § 23-79-140, affecting health benefit plans and healthcare insurers by tightening coverage rules for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. It limits insurers’ ability to charge cost-sharing for screening mammograms and breast ultrasounds, and it sets a parity standard for diagnostic breast cancer imaging, including MRI, relative to screening exams. The practical effect is to expand consumer protections and reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients receiving breast cancer-related imaging services.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support, with the bill passing the House 94-0 and the Senate 33-0 on third reading. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes indicate broad agreement with the bill’s purpose of improving access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic care by reducing cost-sharing barriers.
Contention
No notable opposition is reflected in the provided record. The main policy issue addressed by the bill is how broadly cost-sharing protections should apply when breast cancer screening or diagnostic services are billed separately or performed on the same date, and whether diagnostic exams should receive the same or better cost-sharing treatment as screening exams. The unanimous votes suggest these clarifications were not controversial among legislators.