SB509: SB509 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

Georgia law already requires health plans that cover diagnostic breast exams to charge the same copays and deductibles for those exams as for routine screening mammograms. This bill adds a new requirement on top of that: insurers must cover an annual chest imaging test, plus any additional medically necessary chest imaging tests, for anyone who has had a mastectomy (surgical removal of a breast) or other cancer treatment like chemotherapy or radiation. The bill also updates the law's definitions, broadening 'chest imaging test' to include X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, PET scans, and CT scans of the chest, and adding new definitions for 'cost-sharing requirement' and 'mastectomy.' The Insurance Commissioner would have to write rules to implement the coverage in line with guidelines from groups like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The changes would take effect July 1, 2026, applying to policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

• Requires health benefit policies that cover diagnostic breast exams to also cover an annual chest imaging test for people who have had a mastectomy or cancer treatment.
• Requires coverage of additional chest imaging tests beyond the annual one if a doctor finds them medically necessary and clinically appropriate.
• Expands the legal definition of 'chest imaging test' to explicitly include X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, PET scans, and CT scans of the chest.
• Adds new definitions for 'cost-sharing requirement' and 'mastectomy' to the insurance code.
• Directs the state Insurance Commissioner to write rules implementing the new coverage based on current cancer-treatment guidelines.
• Sets a July 1, 2026 effective date, applying to insurance policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

People in Georgia who have had a mastectomy or cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation and need ongoing chest imaging; health insurers and health benefit plans regulated under Georgia's insurance code; and the state Insurance Commissioner, who must write implementing rules. Self-insured employer plans governed by federal ERISA law are excluded.

Cancer survivors who have had a mastectomy or other treatment often need continued chest imaging to monitor for recurrence. This bill would guarantee that insurance covers that annual test and any further necessary imaging, rather than leaving coverage up to individual plan terms or subject to extra out-of-pocket costs.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.32, which already requires equal cost-sharing between diagnostic and screening breast exams for breast cancer.
• New subsection (b.1) requires coverage of an annual chest imaging test and any additional medically necessary tests for covered persons who have had a mastectomy or other cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Definitions section adds 'cost-sharing requirement' and 'mastectomy' and broadens 'chest imaging test' to list specific imaging types covered.
• Subsection (e) requires the Insurance Commissioner to issue rules implementing the coverage consistent with guidelines from professional medical organizations such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying to policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after that date.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-17Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-12Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)Primary sponsor
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)

• health insurance coverage
• breast cancer
• mastectomy care
• insurance regulation
• cancer screening