Early Access to Screening Act

HR 9417, the Early Access to Screening Act, requires Medicare, Medicaid, and private health plans to cover annual screening mammograms at no cost for women aged 30 and older starting January 1, 2025. Previously, Medicare covered annual screenings only for women 40 and older, while this bill lowers the age threshold and prohibits cost-sharing (like copays) for these services. It specifically affects women over 29 years old who receive care through federal health programs or private insurance plans. The bill amends key health coverage provisions to standardize this benefit across all major insurance systems, effective in 2025.