MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Senator(s) Blackmon

AN ACT TO CODIFY SECTION 83-9-108, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED IN THIS STATE SHALL INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR ANNUAL SCREENINGS BY LOW-DOSE MAMMOGRAPHY FOR THE PRESENCE OF BREAST CANCER; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ANNUAL SCREENINGS BY LOW-DOSE MAMMOGRAPHY FOR THE PRESENCE OF BREAST CANCER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 83-9-108, Mississippi Code of 1972:

83-9-108. (1) Each Medicare supplement policy, contract or certificate delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state shall include coverage for annual screenings by low-dose mammography for the presence of occult breast cancer within the provisions of the policy, contract or certificate. 

(2) Such benefits shall be at least as favorable as for other radiological examinations and subject to the same dollar limits, deductibility and coinsurance factors.

(3) "Low-dose mammography" means the x-ray examination of the breast using equipment dedicated specifically for mammography, including the x-ray tube, filter, compression device, screens, films and cassettes, with a radiation exposure which is diagnostically valuable and in keeping with the recommended "Average Patient Exposure Guides" as published by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc.

SECTION 2. (1) Every insurer shall provide in each group or individual policy, contract or certificate of health insurance issued or renewed for persons who are residents of this state, coverage for annual screenings by low-dose mammography for all women thirty-five (35) years of age or older for the presence of occult breast cancer within the provisions of the policy, contract or certificate. 

(2) Such benefits shall be at least as favorable as for other radiological examinations and subject to the same dollar limits, deductibles and coinsurance factors. For purposes of this section, "low-dose mammography" means the x-ray examination of the breast using equipment dedicated specifically for mammography, including the x-ray tube, filter, compression device, screens, films and cassettes with a radiation exposure which is diagnostically valuable and in keeping with the recommended "Average Patient Exposure Guides" as published by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.