AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

SB 197 prohibits insurance companies from requiring patients to pay deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations. It directly affects individuals enrolled in group or individual health insurance plans by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these specific exams. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found during screening or other exams, while supplemental exams screen for breast cancer in high-risk cases based on medical history. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to all health insurance plans covered under the bill's provisions.