Healthcare (Medicare)

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Maine to cover annual prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for men aged 50 to 72. It mandates coverage for digital rectal exams, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and medically necessary follow-up testing (such as imaging or lab work) when recommended by a doctor. The coverage must align with the most recent nationally recognized clinical guidelines for early detection. It applies to individual and group health insurance policies issued in Maine, excluding limited-benefit plans like accident-only or Medicare supplements. The law takes effect for policies renewed on or after September 1, 1998, with annual coverage requirements tied to current medical evidence.