# Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

This bill aims to make sure that breast cancer patients get fair and equal treatment when it comes to their health insurance coverage and medical care. Specifically, it requires health insurance plans to cover breast reconstruction surgery at the same level as other surgical procedures, and it ensures that patients have access to all types of breast reconstruction options—whether that's implants, tissue grafts from the patient's own body, or other methods—without insurance companies unfairly limiting their choices.

The bill also addresses an important gap in coverage: it requires insurance plans to cover prosthetics (artificial breasts) and related services for patients who choose not to have reconstruction surgery or who cannot have it for medical reasons. This means women won't face unexpected out-of-pocket costs for these devices and the fitting services that go with them. Additionally, the law ensures that patients can see specialists and get second opinions without jumping through extra hoops or facing higher costs, which is important when making major decisions about their treatment.

For patients dealing with breast cancer, this means more predictable costs and more control over their treatment choices. Instead of insurance companies deciding which reconstruction methods they'll pay for, patients and their doctors can make those decisions together based on what's medically appropriate and what the patient prefers. The bill also protects patients from discrimination based on their choices—whether someone chooses reconstruction, a prosthetic, or neither, they should receive equal coverage and support. Overall, this legislation is designed to reduce financial barriers and give breast cancer patients more agency in their own care decisions.

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

Duckworth, Tammy

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).