New State Law Expands Breast Cancer Screening

[September 23, 2022]

A new state law that goes into effect today (September 23, 2022) requires insurance companies to cover additional screenings for individuals who are at high risk for breast cancer or have dense breast tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic, dense breast tissue affects about 1 in 10 women and 40% of women aged 40+ have dense breast tissue show up on mammograms making it harder to detect cancer.
 
The law (HB 371) requires coverage for one screening mammography every year regardless of the woman’s age or risk factors. It also specifies that the coverage includes digital breast tomosynthesis, a three-dimensional imaging technology that involves acquiring images at multiple angles during a scan. The law also requires health insurers to cover supplemental breast cancer screening if certain conditions are met and revises the language a mammography facility must use when notifying a patient in writing of the presence of dense breast tissue.

HB 371 was introduced in the Ohio House July 2021 and was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine almost one year later.
 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month starts October 1.