Great news for women of New York State GET SCREENED, NO EXCUSES Mammography Legislation goes into effect January 1, 2017
New legislation in New York State (NYS) introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo will allow women better access to breast health care and services they need. The new legislation has three key components:
1. The law eliminates annual deductibles, co pays and co insurances for women with NYS insurance. NYS insurance companies will be responsible for full payment of some breast imaging services such as screening and diagnostic mammograms,
ultrasound, and MRI. This means patients having these medically necessary services should not have to share in the cost of the procedure. The law was created to encourage women to seek medical services when needed rather than postponing due to a financial burden. Please note that this does not mean women will never have a payment as not all services are covered in full under the law. Insurance companies based outside NYS are not required to follow the NYS law.
2. NYS employers will be required to give employees four hours of leave each year for breast cancer screening.
3. Extended hours of screening for at least four hours per week will be required of NYS hospitals and hospital extension clinics to help women who have difficulty scheduling mammograms during the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday (Elizabeth Wende Breast Care has offered extended hours and select
Saturdays since 1995).
ABOUT ELIZABETH WENDE BREAST CARE
Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (EWBC) is dedicated solely to women’s imaging and breast health services including mammograms, 3D mammograms, MRI, ultrasound, biopsies, cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling.
Our highly, experienced radiologists and support staff provide each woman with the highest level of expertise in breast cancer screening, detection and care. EWBC is one of the largest freestanding breast imaging centers in the US, and is the largest single-site breast imaging center in NYS. EWBC has been on the forefront of state-of-the-art technology, screening and research for over 40 years. Today, EWBC is a group practice of seven breast imaging specialists with five locations.
