New Breast Imaging Law: What You Need to Know

A pivotal change designed to ease the financial burden on patients needing breast imaging services is now in effect in Washington state, as of January 1, 2024. For patients with commercial health insurance, the new legislation prohibits cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations. This means no more deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for these critical services.  Your patients won't have to pay anything extra for certain breast imaging services. These include:

• Follow-Up Imaging: Diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds are covered if an abnormal screening mammogram is detected.
  
  
• Symptom Evaluation: Clinical symptoms such as lumps, bloody nipple discharge, etc. will be investigated with diagnostic imaging without cost to the patient.
  
  
• High-Risk Patient Imaging: Patients at elevated risk for breast cancer are entitled to additional imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound, at no extra charge.
  

What This Means for Your Practice:

• Inform Your Patients: Let patients know that financial barriers for breast imaging have been removed, which may encourage earlier and more frequent screenings.
  
  
• Simplify Referrals: When referring patients for breast imaging, remind them that their insurance covers these exams fully under the new law.
  
  
• Documentation and Coding: Ensure that your billing departments are aware of these changes to process claims accurately and avoid unnecessary patient charges.

This update marks a significant advancement in making essential breast health services accessible to all. Your help in educating and guiding patients through this change is invaluable. Vantage Radiology is committed to advocating for accessible healthcare. The Vantage physicians’ support and advocacy efforts contributed to the passage of this crucial legislation, ensuring patients receive essential breast health services without financial barriers.

Together, we can ensure our patients receive the care they need without financial worry. For further details or support, please contact a Vantage Breast Radiologist at 425-690-3688.