(TRENTON)- Legislation on Thursday sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel Benson that would require insurers and SBHP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday.
Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States.
“This legislation will help to ensure that women who may have symptoms of ovarian cancer, or are at risk of ovarian cancer because of a family history or other health conditions, are able to receive appropriate and necessary diagnostic screening tests for this deadly disease,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex).
The bill (A-2757) requires hospital, medical, and health service corporations, commercial individual, small employer, and larger group insurers, health maintenance organizations, and the State Health Benefits Program to provide coverage shall include, but is not limited to, an annual pelvic examination, an ultrasound and blood testing for cancer markers, such as CA 125 levels.
“Women are more likely to go for a health screening if it is covered by their health insurance company,” Benson added. “As the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women, ovarian cancer screenings are critically important to maintaining women’s health in New Jersey.”
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in an estimated 20,000 women in the U.S. each year. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of cancers among women, but it causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
