FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5481

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring the insurance commissioner to educate breast cancer patients about the availability of insurance coverage for breast reconstruction and breast prostheses.

Background: Federal Women's Health and Cancer Rights law requires most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction. State law also provides that health care plans must provide coverage for reconstructive breast surgery resulting from a mastectomy that resulted from disease, illness, or injury.

In 2015, the U.S. Congress passed the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act in response to concerns that less than half of all women requiring mastectomies were offered breast reconstructive surgery. The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to plan an education campaign for breast cancer patients to inform them of reconstruction and prosthetic options. Information on breast reconstruction can be found on HHS's website.

Summary: The Health Care Authority (HCA) must coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to create and implement a campaign to educate breast cancer patients about the availability of insurance coverage for breast reconstruction and breast prostheses. HCA and DOH may create new educational materials or make available materials published by for-profit or non-profit organizations. The materials developed must include: information about the availability of breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, information about prostheses or breast forms as an alternative to breast reconstruction surgery, and information on the requirements of the Women's Health and Cancer Rights law.

The educational materials developed must be made available to the Office of the Insurance Commission and HCA to people receiving their services. DOH must make the information available to health care professionals for distribution to patients.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	49	0
House	97	0