Ohio House Bill HB619

Ohio 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/3/24

Caption

Revise insurance, Medicaid coverage of breast cancer screenings

Impact

The legislation significantly alters the landscape of breast cancer screening by eliminating cost-sharing for mandated services. Specifically, it requires insurance policies to cover annual screening mammograms, including advanced methods like digital breast tomosynthesis, as well as supplemental screenings for women meeting certain risk criteria. The changes are expected to improve access to necessary medical interventions, particularly for women who might otherwise forego such screenings due to associated costs.

Summary

House Bill 619, also known as the Breast Cancer Screening Act, amends several sections of the Revised Code to enhance insurance and Medicaid coverage for breast cancer screenings and examinations. The bill mandates that all individual and group health insuring corporation policies provide benefits for screening mammograms, diagnostic breast examinations, and supplemental breast cancer screenings without imposing cost-sharing requirements on enrollees. This aims to ensure that women at increased risk of breast cancer or with dense breast tissue have adequate access to necessary screenings without financial barriers.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB 619 is the requirement that all mammogram screenings, including those for diagnostic purposes, be conducted at facilities accredited by the American College of Radiology. Some stakeholders argue that this requirement could limit options for patients, particularly in rural areas where access to accredited facilities may be more challenging. Additionally, the provision for Medicaid to cover these services reinforces ongoing discussions about the program's funding and capacity to manage increased services without compromising care quality.