What's happening
This bill requires insurance policies in New York to cover annual ovarian cancer screening tests for women at increased risk.
Why it matters
Targets high-risk women based on family history and genetic markers. The bill defines "at risk" as women with specific family histories (ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative, three or more female relatives with breast cancer, or nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) or those who test positive for BRCA1/2 mutations, ensuring coverage is focused where it is most likely to make a difference.
Mandates coverage of specific, recognized screening tests. Insurance policies would be required to cover annual CA-125 blood tests, transvaginal ultrasounds, and pelvic exams—these are established surveillance tools that can help detect ovarian cancer earlier, when it is more treatable.
Could reduce disparities in access to preventive care. By mandating insurance coverage, the bill addresses financial barriers that might prevent high-risk women from getting recommended screenings, potentially improving early detection rates and health outcomes.
Applies to a wide range of health insurance types. The requirement would extend to individual, group, and blanket health insurance policies, meaning more women across New York—regardless of how they are insured—would benefit from these protections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Ovarian Cancer Screenings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4819
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, COOK, COLTON, GUNTHER, PEOPLES-STOKES, CAHILL, ENGLEBRIGHT, M. G. MILLER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. FARRELL, GOTTFRIED, LUPARDO, RIVERA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing coverage for surveillance tests for ovarian cancer
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 34 to read as follows:
(34) Every policy that provides medical, major-medical or similar comprehensive-type coverage shall provide coverage for surveillance tests for ovarian cancer for an insured who is at risk for ovarian cancer. (A) For purposes of this subsection, an insured is deemed to be at risk if:
(i) she has a family history of:
1. one or more first-degree relative with ovarian cancer;
2. three or more female relatives with breast cancer; or
3. nonpolyposis colorectal cancer; or
(ii) she tests positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
(B) For purposes of this subsection, surveillance tests for ovarian cancer shall mean annual screening for ovarian cancer using:
(i) CA-125 serum tumor marker testing;
(ii) transvaginal ultrasound; and
(iii) pelvic examination.
§ 2. Subsection (k) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 22 to read as follows:
(22) Every group or blanket policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state which provides hospital, surgical or medical coverage shall include coverage for surveillance tests for ovarian cancer for an
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08998-01-7
A. 4819 2
insured who is at risk for ovarian cancer. (A) For purposes of this subsection, an insured is deemed to be at risk if:
(i) she has a family history of:
1. one or more first-degree relative with ovarian cancer;
2. three or more female relatives with breast cancer; or
3. nonpolyposis colorectal cancer; or
(ii) she tests positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
(B) For purposes of this subsection, surveillance tests for ovarian cancer shall mean annual screening for ovarian cancer using:
(i) CA-125 serum tumor marker testing;
(ii) transvaginal ultrasound; and
(iii) pelvic examination.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (rr) to read as follows:
(rr) A health service corporation or medical expense indemnity corporation which provides medical, major-medical or similar comprehensivetype coverage must provide coverage for surveillance tests for ovarian cancer for an insured who is at risk for ovarian cancer. (1) For purposes of this subsection, an insured is deemed to be at risk if:
(A) she has a family history of:
(i) one or more first-degree relative with ovarian cancer;
(ii) three or more female relatives with breast cancer; or
(iii) nonpolyposis colorectal cancer; or
(B) she tests positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, surveillance tests for ovarian cancer shall mean annual screening for ovarian cancer using:
(A) CA-125 serum tumor marker testing;
(B) transvaginal ultrasound; and
(C) pelvic examination.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any policy issued, renewed, or modified after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.