Gov. Raimondo signs bill tightening mastectomy insurance coverage

By: Sarah E. Rooney

Email: srooney@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation Monday that will tighten requirements on insurance companies with regards to covering mastectomies.

The law, sponsored by House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi, D-Warwick, and Sen. Hannah M. Gallo, D-R.I., requires insurance companies to cover mastectomies and related costs.

Previously, the law mandated the coverage of some, but not all, costs associated with mastectomies. This new law removes provisions allowing insurers not to cover the procedure, as well as requires that companies do not charge deductibles and copayments related to the operation.

“This bill makes it clear that insurers must cover all of the costs of mastectomies, without copays and deductibles,” said Leader Shekarchi. “Breast cancer is a very emotional cancer, one that can leave even those who fight it very successfully with a tremendous feeling of loss. That loss should not be compounded by struggles to pay for their treatment, heal, and recover their lives.”

The American Cancer Society’s Rhode Island chapter and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation both supported the law.

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