Olympia, Washington- Additional breast exams are now covered by health insurance companies. Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5396 formalizing the move.
The new law covers supplemental and diagnostic tests, and health insurance providers cannot charge additional costs for tests. The issue was first raised by Dr. Rachel Fidino of Kennewick, who visited Senator Sharon Brown (R-East Washington) last year to stress the importance of breast exams.
This year, Dr. Fidino approached Senators Matt Behnke (R-Kennewick) and Linda Wilson (R-Vancouver). Since Wilson herself is a breast cancer survivor, the latter took the lead and presented the bill to lawmakers.
SB 5396 was approved by Wilson, Behnke, and nine other Senators, with support from the Susen G. Komen Organization and the Washington State Radiological Society.
”“Access to comprehensive breast cancer screening should be the norm for all Washingtonians,” said Senator Behnke. “I thank Brown Sen and Wilson for their continued leadership in this effort. If you can’t,” he said.
“I’ve had many patients who didn’t get an MRI because of the cost,” Dr. Fidino said. “This bill will allow high-risk women to have MRIs, allowing early detection of breast cancer and breast cancer.” Returning would save lives. ”
The law will take effect on January 1, 2024, according to the final bill report.
