Brief Description: Providing health benefit plans offering coverage for prostate cancer screening.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, Keiser, Oke, Rockefeller, Thibaudeau and Kohl-Welles).

Hearing Date: 2/17/06

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in this country. The chance of having prostate cancer increases rapidly after age 50, with more than 70 percent of all prostate cancers diagnosed in men over age 65.

The state Department of Health (Department) estimates that each year about 4,500 men in Washington are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 600 die from the disease. A 2002 survey by the Centers for Disease Control showed that just less than 50 percent of men in Washington state over age 50 had been screened for prostate cancer in the preceding year.

Summary of Bill:

After December 31, 2006, health plans are required to cover prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of a patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. This does not prevent the application of standard policy provision applicable to other benefits, such as deductibles. Neither does it prevent contracting with specific providers for delivery of the screening services. The requirement applies to disability insurers, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, self-funded multi-employee welfare arrangements, the Basic Health Plan, the Uniform Medical Plan for state employees, and medical assistance programs provided by the Department of Social and Health Services.

The Department is directed to implement a prostate cancer public awareness and education campaign, placing special emphasis on early education for men over 40, African-American men, and men who are at high risk for prostate cancer.

Appropriation: The sum of $50,000.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 13, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.