Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Impact
The bill reinforces patient rights by requiring hospitals to proactively communicate essential information about reconstructive surgery options to breast cancer patients. This supports informed decision-making and aims to improve access to necessary surgical treatments, potentially enhancing the quality of care. Moreover, the Act restricts managed care plan contracts from including provisions that limit healthcare provider recommendations for surgeries, ensuring that patients are referred to appropriate specialists irrespective of hospital affiliations or network statuses.
Summary
Assembly Bill 2304 mandates that general hospitals in New Jersey provide breast cancer patients with clear written information about their rights to seek consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons for reconstructive surgery. This requirement includes outlining options for reconstructive surgery before and after surgical treatment for breast cancer, ensuring that patients are informed about their choices regarding procedures such as mastectomy and lumpectomy. The bill aims to empower patients by ensuring they receive guidance on available reconstruction options as well as the associated healthcare coverage under state and federal laws.
Contention
While the bill aims to safeguard and enhance patient rights, points of contention may arise concerning how hospitals and insurance providers manage these requirements. There may be concerns from healthcare providers about the implications of mandating such information sharing, which could result in increased administrative burdens. Additionally, some stakeholders might express apprehension regarding the potential costs for healthcare systems associated with these new obligations, particularly how it may affect coverage and network participation in managed care plans.
Same As
Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Carry Over
Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Carry Over
Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
To Mandate Coverage For Breast Reconstruction Surgeries; To Require Prior Authorization For Breast Reconstruction Surgeries; And To Establish A Minimum Reimbursement Rate For Breast Reconstruction Surgeries.
Creation of a State Debt – Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025