"Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will amend existing laws pertaining to women’s health services, effectively broadening the scope of coverage provided by health benefit plans in New Jersey. The proposed changes would ensure that all women, regardless of their age or risk factors, can access potentially life-saving mammograms if their healthcare provider deems it necessary. This change is expected to reduce the financial burden on women seeking preventative care and encourage proactive health management.
Summary
Assembly Bill A648, known as 'Michelle's Law,' seeks to expand health insurance coverage for mammograms by requiring health benefits plans to cover the cost of mammograms for all women, contingent on a healthcare provider's recommendation. Currently, coverage for mammograms is mandated only for women aged 40 and above or those under 40 with specific risk factors. This legislation aims to rectify the situation where women, like Michelle DeVita, who passed away from breast cancer, were left without necessary screening due to restrictive insurance policies. By implementing this law, the bill hopes to increase early detection rates among women and improve health outcomes.
Contention
The bill has spurred discussions regarding the balance between necessary healthcare provisions and healthcare costs. Supporters argue that the bill is vital for enabling women to access important health screenings, thus saving lives through early detection of breast cancer. Meanwhile, opponents may express concerns regarding the financial implications for insurance providers and how these changes could affect overall healthcare costs and accessibility. Overall, the debate underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage while managing costs in the health insurance sector.
Requires health care professional to order bi-lateral ultrasounds concurrently when ordering mammograms; requires insurers to cover concurrent mammograms and bi-lateral ultrasounds.
Requires health care professionals to order bi-lateral ultrasounds concurrently when ordering mammograms; requires insurers to cover concurrent mammograms and bi-lateral ultrasounds.
Requires State employees work in person if job requires face-to-face interaction with public; requires State agency provide alternatives if closure is unpreventable.
Requires health care professional to order bi-lateral ultrasounds concurrently when ordering mammograms; requires insurers to cover concurrent mammograms and bi-lateral ultrasounds.
Requires health care professionals to order bi-lateral ultrasounds concurrently when ordering mammograms; requires insurers to cover concurrent mammograms and bi-lateral ultrasounds.