SB19 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Steve LivingstonSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Health care insurance; to eliminate cost-sharing for screening of men who are at high risk for prostate cancer
Summary: SB19 would require Alabama health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening for older men and men at high risk without any out-of-pocket costs, effective October 1, 2027.
What This Bill Does
It amends Alabama Code to require health benefit plans to cover prostate cancer screening, including PSA tests and digital rectal exams. It eliminates cost-sharing for men over 50, and for men over 40 who are at high risk for prostate cancer. High risk includes African American men and men with certain family history or genetic markers linked to higher risk. It also protects coverage and provider payments from being reduced or penalized by third-party payors, with an effective date of October 1, 2027.

Who It Affects
Men over 50 with health insurance in Alabama will not pay deductibles, coinsurance, or copays for prostate cancer screening.
Men over 40 who are at high risk for prostate cancer (including African American men or those with affected family history or genetic markers) will not pay out-of-pocket costs for screening.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 27-58-1 and 27-58-4 of the Alabama Code to implement the act.
Defines cost-sharing requirements, health benefit plan, men at high risk, and screening terms for clarity within the chapter.
Requires health benefit plans to cover prostate cancer screening with no out-of-pocket costs for the specified groups.
Screening is defined to include a PSA test and a digital rectal examination.
High-risk group is defined to include African American men and men with a family history or genetic markers linked to higher risk.
Prohibits private third-party payors from reducing or eliminating coverage due to this act and protects providers from penalties when ordering care consistent with the act.
Effective date: October 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Insurance