To Amend The Law Concerning Coverage For Mammograms And Breast Ultrasounds.
Summary
SB123 amends Arkansas law governing insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. The bill creates a new definition of “supplemental breast examination” for medically necessary breast cancer screening based on risk factors such as personal or family history and dense breasts. The definition expressly includes contrast-enhanced mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, and molecular breast imaging when used to screen for breast cancer in the absence of a known abnormality.
The bill also changes cost-sharing rules for health benefit plans. It requires insurers to provide coverage for diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental breast examinations without imposing cost-sharing requirements, and it aligns the cost-sharing treatment of diagnostic breast imaging with screening examinations. In practical terms, the measure is intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients who need additional breast cancer screening because of elevated risk or clinical need.
Impact
SB123 updates Arkansas Code § 23-79-140, expanding the statutory framework for breast imaging coverage under health benefit plans. It broadens the types of breast imaging services recognized in law and prohibits insurers from applying cost-sharing to supplemental breast examinations, which affects insurers, health plans, and insured individuals seeking breast cancer screening or follow-up imaging. The bill is likely to increase access to advanced breast imaging and may shift more of the cost burden from patients to insurers.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support in both chambers, with third-reading votes of 34-0 in the Senate and 92-0 in the House. No committee transcripts were provided, but the recorded votes indicate broad bipartisan agreement and little visible opposition. The overall sentiment appears favorable, likely reflecting support for reducing financial barriers to breast cancer screening and early detection.
Contention
No specific committee debate or recorded opposition is available in the provided materials, and the unanimous votes suggest limited contention. Any potential policy tension would likely center on the insurance mandate itself—particularly the requirement that supplemental breast examinations be covered without cost-sharing, which could raise concerns for insurers about utilization and costs. However, the legislative record provided does not show organized opposition or disputed amendments.