Kansas House Bill HB2689

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Requiring that certain health insurance plans impose no-cost sharing requirement on insured individuals for diagnostic breast examinations for breast cancer.

Impact

The proposed legislation amends existing Kansas insurance laws, specifically K.S.A. 40-2,103 and K.S.A. 40-19c09, by enforcing these no cost-sharing provisions. This shift is expected to result in better accessibility of diagnostic screenings without placing a financial burden on insured individuals. Additionally, the legislation explicitly prevents insurance contracts from imposing any exclusions or limitations on coverage in relation to Medicaid benefits, reinforcing the protection for those who might qualify for Medicaid assistance. By requiring insurance companies to cover these essential services without cost-sharing, the bill aims to promote proactive health care among women in Kansas.

Summary

House Bill 2689 seeks to reform health insurance policies related to breast cancer diagnostics by mandating that all individual and group health insurance plans impose no cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations. This includes procedures such as mammography and breast ultrasound, intended to detect or evaluate abnormalities as well as screen for breast cancer in individuals deemed at risk due to personal or family medical history. The bill is designed to ensure that patients do not face financial barriers when it comes to critical health examinations, which can aid in early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Contention

While the bill presents several advantages, notable contentions may arise surrounding the potential implications for insurance providers, who could argue about the financial impact of such mandates. Insurance companies may express concern over how the elimination of cost-sharing could affect their profit margins, particularly if increased demand for screenings leads to higher service utilization rates. Moreover, the bill's impact on existing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts (HSAs) could also spark debate, particularly regarding how to balance compliance with federal law and state mandates. Stakeholders may need to engage in discussions about the feasibility of these changes and the broader implications for the health insurance market in Kansas.