Senator Anthony Portantino Introduces Bill to Expand Health Care Coverage for Follow-up Mammograms
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Anthony Portantino Introduces Bill to Expand Health Care Coverage for Follow-up Mammograms
Sacramento, CA - State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) introduced Senate Bill 974, a measure that would expand health care coverage for diagnostic breast imaging following an abnormal mammography. The idea for the bill was suggested by 25th District resident Gayaneh Pezeshkian Avanes. The Senator, who is the father of two daughters, thought the idea had merit and the issue needed to be addressed.
“SB 974 recognizes the importance of follow up diagnostic testing for breast cancer screenings,” stated Senator Portantino. “Health insurance coverages do not extend to these crucial follow-up diagnostics, which may save lives. They unfortunately only cover the initial screening mammogram. The delay and absence of life-saving treatments can significantly impact health outcomes for women.”
Health insurance coverage extends to mammography screening, which detects 80-90% of breast cancers in women who have not yet manifested physical symptoms. Women who receive abnormal results on a breast cancer screening can be instructed to undergo follow-up testing to ensure that the abnormality is not cancerous, and they are often required to pay out-of-pocket for follow-up testing. This can cause thousands of dollars and cause many women to delay or avoid these appointments and thus delay treatment that can save their life.
SB 974 would require that a health insurance policy, which is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, must provide coverage for a medically necessary diagnostic breast imaging, including diagnostic breast imaging following an abnormal mammography result. Diagnostic breast imaging includes breast magnetic resonance imaging and breast ultrasound.
“When I found out that I needed further imaging after my preventative mammogram visit, I was so scared. I quickly booked my ultrasound but was shocked when I received a bill from my insurance company and was told that the ultrasound was not considered part of a preventative visit. I did some research and realized that in the Affordable Care Act, this additional imaging was not listed and the states needed to add their own legislation,” stated Gayaneh Pezeshkian Avanes. “That is when I reached out to Senator Portantino and I am so grateful that he introduced SB 974 so quickly! I actually cried when I found out. I can’t imagine how many women do not go for further testing because of the affiliated costs. I hope this makes an impact and women receive their preventative exams without having to worry how to pay for it.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women of all races. The prevalence of breast cancer screening and follow-up testing over the past 20 years has significantly improved the early detection of breast cancer and subsequent survival rates. Early detecting of breast cancer can reduce the risk of dying from the disease by 25-30%. Screening is done by mammogram and is the single most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancerous. This detection can happen long before physical symptoms, detectable lumps, or abnormalities can be felt.
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