Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE EXTENSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING EXPENSES TO MEN, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, CLARIFYING THAT COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING EXPENSES IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.

Summary of Assessment

            This bill provides mammography coverage diagnostic screening for all adult men who have risk factors for breast cancer as determined by the man's physician or a participating physician managed care plan physician. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.

            Since the current coverage does not specifically exclude diagnostic mammograms, this bill will not have a significant impact on the way health plans handle claims for men with respect to this procedure. Therefore, few, if any, additional policy and rates forms would need to be filed with the Division of Insurance, Department of Regulatory Agencies.

            The Department of Personnel, Division of Employee Benefits, provides health insurance coverage under the state's employee benefit plans. Any new coverages, as they are implemented, may increase state program costs, if recommended by the Executive Director of the Department of Personnel in the annual Total Compensation Survey and approved by the General Assembly. Any increases in costs of insurance will be passed on to the states' employees initially, and ultimately may be reflected in the costs of the state employee benefit program, subject to legislation.

            Mammograms for men are covered under Medicaid. The provisions of the bill will not impact any other state agency or unit of local government. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Regulatory Agencies              Personnel        Public Health and Environment

            Health Care Policy and Financing