ACR Comments on Draft HRSA Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) submitted comments this week on draft recommendations for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines , including for breast cancer screening. Preventive services in the guidelines are required by the Affordable Care Act to be covered without cost-sharing by certain group health plans and health insurance issuers. As previously reported, HRSA requested public comment on these draft recommendations in October.

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) supports the proposal to include in the HRSA guideline additional imaging/testing that may be indicated for women to complete the screening process for malignancies following the initial screening mammography. This language acknowledges that many women need additional imaging/testing to differentiate abnormal findings. Due to Section 2713 of the Public Health Service Act, as modified by the Affordable Care Act, this revision would appear to ensure coverage for such services without cost-sharing, improving the likelihood that patients will be able to access additional imaging vitally important for identifying malignancies.

Additionally, ACR provided comments to further strengthen HRSA’s guidelines and enhance patient access. The College suggests the frequency of screening mammography to include a preference of an annual screening mammography and add inclusive language of populations beyond age 74. ACR also recommends HRSA modify the current language regarding women at increased risk by including that this population may need to receive screening mammography before the age of 40.

For more information please contact Michael Peters, ACR Senior Director, Government Affairs, or Katie Grady, Government Affairs Director.