Removes cancer screening deductibles, copayments and coinsurance

2 Co-sponsors

• Tony Avella
• Suzi Oppenheimer

BILL NUMBER:S841A

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to cancer screening deductibles and copayments

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this legislation is to eliminate copayments for certain cancer screenings in order, to encourage preventive care.

Summary of specific provisions

The following sections of law are amended provide that mammography screening and cervical cytology screening provided under the insurance law shall not be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance costs.

Section 1. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph 11 and subparagraph (C) of paragraph 15 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011 are amended.

Section 2. Subparagraph (B)of paragraph 11 and subparagraph (C) of paragraph 14 of subsection (1) of section 3221 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended.

Section 3: Subparagraph (D) of paragraph 1 of subsection (p) and paragraph 1 of subsection (t) of section 4303 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended.

Section 4. Subsection (c) of section 4321 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended.

Section 5. Subsections (c) and (d) of section 4322 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 219 of the laws of 2011, are amended.

Justification

It is well established that our country and state must transition to a more prevention-based health care system. In addition to being considerably more cost effective than our current treatment regime, preventive care will save lives and improve health outcomes by encouraging the early detection and treatment of illness.

This legislation would accomplish one objective within this broader effort by eliminating required insurance co-payments for most varieties of cancer screenings, with the exception of tests whose radiation levels require a more restrictive testing regimen. Although modest in price compared to costs borne by the uninsured, these copayments act as a disincentive and their elimination would increase the number of people who receive cancer testing. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that a $10 copayment reduced the percentage of women screened for breast cancer from 78% to 69% compared to an equivalent group eligible for free testing.

Prior legislative history

Previously introduced.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and the provisions of this act shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified or altered on or after such effective date.