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Bill

SB 551

Health Insurance - Ovarian Cancer Prevention With Salpingectomy - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost Sharing

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Charles

Maryland bill mandates insurance coverage without cost-sharing for salpingectomy as ovarian cancer prevention, removing financial barriers to the procedure.

Third Reading Passed
0
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Bill Summary · SB 551

Legislative bill overview

SB 551 requires health insurance plans in Maryland to cover salpingectomy (surgical removal of fallopian tubes) as an ovarian cancer prevention measure without cost-sharing for covered individuals. The bill mandates that insurers treat this preventive procedure similarly to other covered preventive services, eliminating copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for eligible patients.

Why is this important

Ovarian cancer has high mortality rates partly because it's often detected at advanced stages. Salpingectomy is increasingly recognized by medical organizations as an effective risk-reducing option, particularly for women at elevated risk. This legislation removes financial barriers to accessing a preventive procedure, potentially increasing utilization and reducing cancer incidence among those who choose this intervention.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of coverage criteria: The bill doesn't specify which patients qualify (all women, those with family history, specific age ranges), which could create implementation questions and potential disputes over eligibility
  • Insurance cost implications: Mandating coverage without cost-sharing increases insurer expenses, which may be passed to consumers through higher premiums or reduced plan offerings
  • Medical consensus questions: While growing, not all medical organizations universally recommend routine salpingectomy for average-risk women, creating debate over whether this should be categorized as standard preventive care versus elective surgery

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

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