Find It Early Act

December 16, 2022 by Dense Breast Info

Federal legislation that would require insurers to cover no cost-sharing additional breast imaging for women with dense breasts or at higher risk for breast cancer, the “Find It Early Act”, was announced on Capitol Hill. This legislation should help address insurance barriers which contribute to the lack of health equity.

DBI’s JoAnn Pushkin joined Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Brian Fitzpatrick and journalist Katie Couric to speak at the press conference. Creative credit goes to Dr. Wendie Berg for her suggestion that the DBI tagline “Find it Early” be considered as the bill’s name.

While a bill number/link is pending, below is an excerpt from the bill:

COVERAGE WITH NO COST-SHARING FOR ADDITIONAL BREAST SCREENINGS FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AT GREATER RISK FOR BREAST CANCER

• (A) With respect to an individual who is at increased risk of breast cancer (as determined in accordance with the most recent applicable American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria or the most recent applicable guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network) or with heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue (as defined by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology), screening and diagnostic imaging (with no limitation applied on frequency) for the detection of breast cancer, including 2D or 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast magnetic resonance imaging, or other technologies (as determined in accordance with such applicable criteria or guidelines); and
• (B) with respect to an individual who is not described in subparagraph (A) and who is determined by a health care provider (in accordance with such most recent applicable criteria or guidelines) to require screening or diagnostic breast imaging by reason of factors, including age, race, ethnicity, or personal or family medical history, screening and diagnostic imaging (with no limitation applied on frequency) for the detection of breast cancer, including 2D or 3D  mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast magnetic resonance imaging, or other technologies (as determined in accordance with such applicable criteria or guidelines).