Breast imaging legislation introduced in Arizona

Susan G. Komen has urged quick passage in Arizona of legislation that would eliminate patient out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.

House Bill 2411 was introduced in the state by Representative David Cook (R-Globe) and includes eliminating costs for patients for MRI, ultrasound, and diagnostic mammograms. While no-cost mammograms are currently available to women, when a mammogram reveals an abnormality, diagnostic and supplemental imaging is necessary to give medical providers a closer look at the abnormality and determine if a biopsy is needed, Komen said.

However, out-of-pocket costs for patients can range from $234 for a diagnostic mammogram to more than $1,000 for a breast MRI, according to the organization. These out-of-pocket costs for follow-up imaging deter many individuals in Arizona from getting it and result in breast cancer being diagnosed at a later stage, Komen said.