House Bill 297 was heard in the House Health Committee today and much of the discussion focused on making sure patients can afford the care they need.
The legislation deals with diagnostic imaging for breast cancer. It seeks to make sure specific populations of woman can afford advanced imaging tests like MRIs or ultrasounds when they are medically necessary.
Ensuring these tests are affordable is a goal that everyone can agree on.
The problem is how House Bill 297 attempts to achieve this goal.
The average cost of an MRI is 5 to 10 times higher than a mammogram. Patients can pay up to nearly $1,400 for these tests.
Yet, the bill does not actually address those cost. It just changes how they are paid for.
Under House Bill 297, advanced imaging test must be treated as preventive care, the same way mammograms are currently treated.
Currently, advanced imaging tests are covered under normal benefit levels by insurers.
Treating tests such as MRIs and ultrasounds as preventive would mandate a $0 cost-share under the Affordable Care Act.
While that may sound good at first, just because the cost-share is reduced to $0, does not mean the patient does not pay for the test.
Instead of paying directly out-of-pocket, the cost is just shifted into premiums.
But the patient still pays.
The problem of affordability is real. North Carolina is the most expensive state for healthcare in the country.
House Bill 297, however, does not truly address affordability. It just changes how you pay.
Instead, the problem that needs to be solved is the cost of the actual test.
By lowering the amount that can be charged for advanced imaging tests, the supporters of House Bill 297 can make sure cost is not a barrier, and that women can afford the care they need.
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