(1) The purpose of this regulation is to effectuate the provisions of RCW
48.43.076, by requiring coverage and prohibiting cost-sharing for certain types of mammography services.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, for nongrandfathered health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, that include coverage of supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations, health carriers may not impose cost-sharing for such examinations.
(3) For a health plan that provides coverage of supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations and is offered as a qualifying health plan for a health savings account, the health carrier shall establish the plan's cost-sharing for the coverage of the services described in this section at the minimum level necessary to preserve the enrollee's ability to claim tax exempt contributions from their health savings account under Internal Revenue Service laws and regulations.
(4) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Diagnostic breast examination" means a medically necessary and appropriate examination of the breast, as defined in RCW
48.43.076. Diagnostic breast examinations are used to evaluate an abnormality either seen or suspected from a breast cancer screening examination, or detected by another means of examination.
(b) "Supplemental breast examination" has the meaning set forth in RCW
48.43.076.
(5) Coverage of mammograms may be subject to standard contract provisions, other than the cost-sharing provisions prohibited by RCW
48.43.076, which may be applicable to other diagnostic X-ray benefits.