Bill Text: NJ S3174 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires insurers to cover comprehensive ultrasound breast screening if a mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue and requires mammogram reports to contain information on breast density.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S3174 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S3174-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
Senator NIA H. GILL
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires insurers to cover comprehensive ultrasound breast screening if a mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue and requires mammogram reports to contain information on breast density.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning mammograms, amending P.L.1991, c.279 and P.L.2004, c.86, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.17:48-6g) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. No group or individual hospital service corporation contract providing hospital or medical expense benefits shall be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act, unless the contract provides benefits to any subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the contract.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all contracts in which the hospital service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.17:48A-7f) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. No group or individual medical service corporation contract providing hospital or medical expense benefits shall be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act, unless the contract provides benefits to any subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the contract.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all contracts in which the medical service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.2)
3. Section 3 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.17:48E-35.4) is amended to read as follows:
3. a. No group or individual health service corporation contract providing hospital or medical expense benefits shall be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act, unless the contract provides benefits to any subscriber or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the contract.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all contracts in which the health service corporation has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.3)
4. Section 4 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.17B:26-2.1e) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. No individual health insurance policy providing hospital or medical expense benefits shall be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act, unless the policy provides benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the policy.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.4)
5. Section 5 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.17B:27-46.1f) is amended to read as follows:
5. a. No group health insurance policy providing hospital or medical expense benefits shall be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of this act, unless the policy provides benefits to any named insured or other person covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the policy.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all policies in which the insurer has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.5)
6. Section 7 of P.L.2004, c.86 (C.17B:27A-7.10) is amended to read as follows:
7. a. Every individual health benefits plan that is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.) or approved for issuance or renewal in this State, on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any woman covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health benefit plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.7)
7. Section 8 of P.L.2004, c.86 (C.17B:27A-19.13) is amended to read as follows:
8. a. Every small employer health benefits plan that is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State pursuant to P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.) or approved for issuance or renewal in this State, on or after the effective date of this act, shall provide benefits to any woman covered thereunder for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the health benefits plan.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all health benefit plans in which the carrier has reserved the right to change the premium.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.8)
8. Section 6 of P.L.1991, c.279 (C.26:2J-4.4) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a certificate of authority to establish and operate a health maintenance organization in this State shall not be issued or continued by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services on or after the effective date of this act unless the health maintenance organization provides health care services to any enrollee for the conduct of:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. These health care services shall be provided to the same extent as for any other sickness under the enrollee agreement.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to all enrollee agreements in which the health maintenance organization has reserved the right to change the schedule of charges.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.6)
9. Section 9 of P.L.2004, c.86 (C.52:14-17.29i) is amended to read as follows:
9. a. The State Health Benefits Commission shall provide benefits to each person covered under the State Health Benefits Program for expenses incurred in conducting:
(1) one baseline mammogram examination for women who are at least 35 but less than 40 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 40 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 40 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider; and
(2) comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
b. The benefits shall be provided to the same extent as for any other medical condition under the contract.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.86, s.9)
10. (New section) Each mammography report provided to a patient shall include information about breast density, based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. When applicable, the report shall include the following notice: "If your mammogram demonstrates that you have dense breast tissue, which could hide small abnormalities, you might benefit from supplementary screening tests, which can include a breast ultrasound screening or a breast MRI examination, or both, depending on your individual risk factors. A report of your mammography results, which contains information about your breast density, has been sent to your physician's office, and you should contact your physician if you have any questions or concerns about this report."
11. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of section 10 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
12. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment. Sections 1 through 9 of this act shall apply to all contracts and policies that are delivered, issued, executed, or renewed or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of section 10 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill requires health insurers to cover comprehensive ultrasound breast screening if a mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue, and also requires mammogram reports to contain information on breast density.
The bill provides specifically as follows:
· In addition to the existing health benefits coverage requirement for mammograms under State law, health insurers are to provide health benefits coverage for comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's physician or advanced practice nurse.
· The provisions of the bill apply to: health, hospital and medical service corporations; commercial individual and group health insurers; health maintenance organizations; health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs; and the State Health Benefits Program (which by law requires coverage under the School Employees' Health Benefits Program as well).
· The insurance coverage requirement takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment of the bill and applies to all health insurance contracts and policies that are delivered, issued, executed, or renewed or approved for issuance or renewal in this State on or after the effective date.
· In addition, the bill requires that each mammography report provided to a patient include information about breast density, based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology. (Federal law requires a mammography facility to provide a mammography report containing the imaging results to the patient and the patient's provider within 30 days of the exam.)
· When applicable, the mammography report is to include the following notice: "If your mammogram demonstrates that you have dense breast tissue, which could hide small abnormalities, you might benefit from supplementary screening tests, which can include a breast ultrasound screening or a breast MRI examination, or both, depending on your individual risk factors. A report of your mammography results, which contains information about your breast density, has been sent to your physician's office, and you should contact your physician if you have any questions or concerns about this report."
The need for this bill is predicated on the following facts:
-- Two-thirds of pre-menopausal and one fourth of post-menopausal women have dense breast tissue, and many do not even know it;
-- Cancer is five times more likely in women with extremely dense breasts;
-- A mammogram will detect only about 48 percent of tumors in women with dense breast tissue, and so the rest will elude early detection;
-- Breast density is one of the strongest predictors of the failure of mammography screening to detect cancer;
-- Cancer recurrence is four times more likely in women with dense breasts; and
-- A May, 2010 national survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that 95 percent of women ages 40 and older did not know their breast density, and nearly 90 percent did not know that breast density increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
