Senate Bill 177 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Health; to require that coverage for breast cancer screening be provided without charging an insured a deductible or copayment

Summary

SB177 would prohibit cost-sharing for breast cancer screening and related diagnostic imaging in Alabama health benefit plans, effective January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

Requires any Alabama health benefit plan that covers breast examinations, including mammography, or diagnostic imaging of the breast to provide the coverage without any deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. It also prohibits cost-sharing for supplemental breast examinations used to screen for breast cancer when there is no abnormality or suspicion, based on factors like medical history or family history, as recommended by a physician. The bill includes definitions of key terms to clarify the scope of coverage. The effective date is January 1, 2027.

Who It Affects

• Individuals and employees enrolled in Alabama health benefit plans that cover breast examinations or breast imaging, who would not pay out-of-pocket costs for these services.
• Health benefit plan sponsors/issuers in Alabama, who must provide no-cost-sharing coverage for the described breast screening and imaging services.

Key Provisions

• No cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance) for screening breast examinations, including mammography, in plans that cover these services.
• No cost-sharing for diagnostic breast examinations and associated imaging used to evaluate abnormalities or suspected conditions.
• No cost-sharing for supplemental breast examinations when there is no abnormality but a patient is at higher risk (per physician recommendation).
• Effective date: January 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Insurance