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SB 509

Insurance; certain health benefit policies to cover an annual chest imaging test for a covered person who has undergone a mastectomy or other cancer treatment; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 20 co-sponsors

Georgia bill requires health insurers to cover annual chest imaging for cancer survivors who underwent mastectomy or cancer treatment, removing financial barriers to preventive screening.

Senate Read and Referred
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Bill Summary · SB 509

Legislative bill overview

SB 509 would require health insurance plans in Georgia to cover an annual chest imaging test for individuals who have undergone mastectomy or other cancer treatment. The bill mandates insurance coverage for this preventive screening without specifying cost-sharing requirements or the types of imaging that qualify.

Why is this important

Cancer survivors face elevated risks of recurrence and secondary malignancies, making ongoing surveillance imaging clinically important. Mandating coverage removes financial barriers to recommended preventive care and could improve early detection outcomes for a vulnerable patient population.

Potential points of contention

  • Coverage scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't define which imaging types qualify (CT, PET, MRI, ultrasound), potentially creating disputes over what insurers must cover and increasing costs unpredictably
  • Insurance cost impacts: Mandated coverage increases premiums for all policyholders, and insurers may contest whether annual imaging is medically necessary for all cancer types and survivor stages
  • Medical guideline alignment: Cancer surveillance recommendations vary by cancer type, treatment received, and individual risk factors; a blanket annual requirement may exceed evidence-based standards for some patients while being insufficient for others

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

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