New State Legislation Covers Diagnostic Mammogram Costs
Having an annual mammogram is an essential part of a woman’s health journey. Mammograms are the main test doctors use to check for breast cancer. Because routine mammograms are categorized as preventive care, the Affordable Care Act requires companies to fully cover the cost of the screening. Now thanks to innovative legislation, Texas women do not have to pay for the cost of diagnostic mammograms either.
Screening mammograms versus diagnostic mammograms
Normally if a routine mammogram shows suspicious results, doctors will require patients to have a diagnostic mammogram. These types of mammograms are different from your annual screenings, as they require a more detailed x-ray of the breast using specialized techniques. Unlike routine mammograms, diagnostic mammograms are not covered under health insurance because they are categorized as diagnostic care. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the cost in Texas for diagnostic imaging with private insurance ranges from $336 to $836, and for uninsured women the cost could be more than $1,000 out-of-pocket.
This past year, the Susan G. Komen Foundation partnered with State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) to sponsor House Bill 170, which eliminates the patient’s out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic mammograms. House Bill 170, which went into effect on September 1, 2019, eliminates this cost by requiring plans to fully cover diagnostic mammography.
According to Susan G. Komen San Antonio, House Bill 170 will allow more women in Texas to receive the diagnostic imaging no matter their economic background. They believe this will save more lives, as it will allow more women who cannot afford diagnostic testing to identify whether they have breast cancer earlier.
Women’s Health Texas recommends women ages 45 and up receive an annual mammogram. If your family has a history of breast cancer or abnormal screenings, you should speak with your Women’s Health Texas’ OBGYN to see if you should start screenings at a younger age.
Traditional mammography and 3D mammography
Women’s Health Texas uses traditional mammography and state-of-the-art 3D mammography, which are available in most of our offices. Our experienced technicians get a clear view of your breast tissue to detect anything that appears abnormal. We’ll make sure you’re comfortable during your visit, answer every question, and do all we can so you can enjoy your best health. Please contact us to schedule a screening, and you can read more about mammograms here.