Patients as a Higher Risk of Breast Cancer Could See Costs for Screenings Eliminated Under New Bill

Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(By Jenny Peek, Wisconsin Public Radio) Patients at a higher risk of breast cancer could see the cost of preventative screenings eliminated under a new bill introduced to the Wisconsin Legislature. 

According to Jenny Peek with Wisconsin Pubilc Radio, the bill, introduced last Tuesday, would require health insurance companies to cover additional breast cancer screenings and diagnostic exams like ultrasounds and MRIs.

Current state law requires health insurance agencies to provide one mammogram per year to women over 50, and two mammograms per year for those ages 45 to 49 who meet certain risk factors. Tests currently provided are free of cost. But the bill aims to close a loophole for some 40 percent of women with dense breast tissue, something that makes mammograms less effective.

Bill co-author state Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, said patients can rack up hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical bills for additional, lifesaving testing or they avoid the extra tests all together.

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