Annual Mammography Insurance Coverage Policy By State

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 http://hrc.nwlc.org/Policy-Indicators/Addressing-Wellness-and-Prevention/Mammogram.aspx

NATIONAL REPORT CARD ON WOMEN'S HEALTH

Mammogram

The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program covers mammograms for certain categories of underserved women. However, states should require that private insurers cover mammograms, thereby giving all women access to this screening.

• I stumbled on to this and was surprised that less than half of the states currently require private insurers to cover annual mammograms for women age 40 and older.  Will even less do so now with these new guidelines?   

Bren-2007

I'm confused.  This doesn't make sense (I read the link).  How can states require insurers to cover the cost of mammograms when the screening program is specifically for uninsured or underinsured women and the screening is funded by the CDC?  If breast cancer is found on screening, medicaid automatically kicks in. 

Each state administers the program differently, but all states are required by law to have this program (thanks to Bill Clinton). 

I'm going to check the CDC and see what the thinking is on the new recommendations ... and if it will affect the B&CCS program by denying screening to women under 50. 

I'm glad you brought this up .. as I was thinking about this yesterday and now am reminded to check into it.

Bren

Edited:  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/data/summaries/virginia.htm

This link shows the distribution of mammogram screening by the BCCS program in Virginia.  Fully 26% of the women screened in this program were under the age of 50.