Two bills regarding breast cancer screening exams were among a group of seven bills Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law on May 6.
Both bills set new requirements for insurance companies.
Part of HB 733 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for specialized breast imaging technology, including MRIs and ultrasounds. Those can be ordered when a mammogram detects an abnormality in the breast. They can also be used for women determined to be at high risk of breast cancer.
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Dr. Joshua Rafoth, a radiologist associated with Piedmont Healthcare, called HB 733 a “remarkable” bill.
“Somebody was asking what my opinion of it was and I was kind of blown away that there was a bill with that language that was had the potential to be passed and signed into law,” he said. “So, to me that reads that women are going to be able to get all of these tests with zero out of pocket costs, regardless of their plan, whether they’ve met their deductible, or anything else. So, I mean that that’s a big deal.”
Rafoth said MRIs are great tools for women who have a higher risk of developing cancer because of a strong family history.
“But for most women, it’s cost prohibitive to get that MRI. So, all of a sudden, we can educate our women about the availability of screening, breast MRI, and what it will do for them, and they have zero out of pocket cost if they have insurance. That’s a game changer for screening. If we can get that access to all women that are high risk, that’s a game changer,” he said.
Breast ultrasounds are particularly beneficial for women with dense breast tissue, who are of average risk. Again, Rafoth said, few women take advantage of ultrasounds because of the cost.
He said access to the additional tests allow for a great prognosis for women who develop breast cancer, and it also puts the decision making in the hands of the woman and her doctor.
The Susan B. Komen organization also praised the bill in a statement posted on its website.
“These tests are critical in determining if there is a need for a biopsy but can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “Thousands of women every year require diagnostic breast imaging, but many forego them because of the cost. Not anymore. This life-saving legislation means women can now receive the breast imaging they require, leading to earlier diagnosis and often better outcomes.”
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Kemp also signed HB 937 which requires insurers to notify all insured women of her coverage for mammograms the year she turns 40 and every year after as long as mammograms are recommended by her physician.
Rafoth says that notification can be invaluable for women, especially in light of hospitals having to restrict access for non-emergency visits because of COVID-19.
“We had to really shut down our diagnostic mammography program for a while because of COVID. And a lot of women, while we were still offering screenings, a lot of women weren’t coming in, they were scared, they didn’t want to get out and get it done. So, there were a lot of screenings that were put off. So, now is the time to kind of recharge,” he said.
More information on HB 733 is available at: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/60343 and for HB 937 at:
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61198
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
