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HB 2292

cancer screening; coverage; gene mutation

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Anna Abeytia and 13 co-sponsors

HB 2292 mandates Arizona health insurers cover genetic cancer screening for mutation carriers without prior authorization or patient cost-sharing, expanding preventive access.

House Second Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 2292

Legislative bill overview

HB 2292 requires health insurance plans in Arizona to cover genetic testing and cancer screening for individuals with identified gene mutations associated with increased cancer risk. The bill mandates coverage without prior authorization requirements or cost-sharing barriers for eligible patients. This applies to both individual and group health insurance policies offered in the state.

Why is this important

Genetic mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2 significantly increase lifetime risk for breast, ovarian, and other cancers, but preventive screening and early detection can substantially improve survival rates. Current insurance practices sometimes restrict or delay coverage for genetic testing and follow-up screening, creating barriers to preventive care. This bill aims to remove financial obstacles for individuals at genetic risk, potentially catching cancers at earlier, more treatable stages.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and insurance premiums: Mandating coverage without cost-sharing could increase insurance premiums for all policyholders, raising questions about who bears the financial burden of expanded genetic screening
  • Scope definition: The bill's effectiveness depends on how "gene mutations associated with increased cancer risk" and "eligible individuals" are precisely defined—overly broad definitions could increase costs, while narrow ones might exclude at-risk people
  • Prior authorization removal: Eliminating prior authorization streamlines access but removes a mechanism insurers use to verify medical necessity and control utilization of expensive genetic testing

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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