The "Find It Early Act" aims to significantly expand access to crucial breast cancer screenings by mandating that various health programs cover additional diagnostic imaging without cost-sharing for individuals identified as being at higher risk. This legislation specifically amends the Public Health Service Act to ensure that private group health plans and individual health insurance coverage provide these enhanced screenings. Coverage is extended to individuals determined to have an increased risk of breast cancer based on established medical guidelines, or those with heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue . Furthermore, the bill ensures these no-cost-sharing provisions apply to individuals whom a healthcare provider determines require screening due to factors such as age, race, ethnicity, or personal or family medical history. The covered services encompass a range of advanced imaging technologies, including 2D or 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast magnetic resonance imaging, and molecular breast imaging, with no limitations on frequency . These changes for private plans are scheduled to take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and will also apply to grandfathered health plans. The Act also mandates similar expansions in major public health programs. It amends the Social Security Act to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries receive these additional breast screenings without cost-sharing, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. For TRICARE and Veterans Affairs (VA) health care, the bill similarly requires coverage and eliminates cost-sharing for eligible service members, veterans, and their families who are at increased risk. These comprehensive changes across various health coverage programs are designed to facilitate earlier detection of breast cancer for vulnerable populations.
The "Find It Early Act" aims to significantly expand access to crucial breast cancer screenings by mandating that various health programs cover additional diagnostic imaging without cost-sharing for individuals identified as being at higher risk. This legislation specifically amends the Public Health Service Act to ensure that private group health plans and individual health insurance coverage provide these enhanced screenings. Coverage is extended to individuals determined to have an increased risk of breast cancer based on established medical guidelines, or those with heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue . Furthermore, the bill ensures these no-cost-sharing provisions apply to individuals whom a healthcare provider determines require screening due to factors such as age, race, ethnicity, or personal or family medical history. The covered services encompass a range of advanced imaging technologies, including 2D or 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast magnetic resonance imaging, and molecular breast imaging, with no limitations on frequency . These changes for private plans are scheduled to take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and will also apply to grandfathered health plans. The Act also mandates similar expansions in major public health programs. It amends the Social Security Act to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries receive these additional breast screenings without cost-sharing, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. For TRICARE and Veterans Affairs (VA) health care, the bill similarly requires coverage and eliminates cost-sharing for eligible service members, veterans, and their families who are at increased risk. These comprehensive changes across various health coverage programs are designed to facilitate earlier detection of breast cancer for vulnerable populations.