The proposed bill amends Sections 27-58-1, 27-58-2, and 27-58-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance health insurance coverage for prostate cancer screening. It recognizes that certain men, particularly African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, are at a higher risk for the disease. The bill mandates that health benefit plans cover annual screenings for prostate cancer, including a prostate-specific antigen blood test and a digital rectal examination, without imposing any out-of-pocket costs for men over 40 years of age, particularly those identified as high-risk.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of definitions for "cost-sharing requirements" and "men at high risk," which detail the conditions under which men qualify for free screenings. Additionally, the bill removes previous age restrictions, lowering the age for screening eligibility from 50 to 40 for high-risk men. It also clarifies that no cost-sharing requirements will apply to these screenings, ensuring that private insurers cannot reduce coverage based on these new mandates. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 27-58-1, 27-58-2, 27-58-4
Engrossed: 27-58-1, 27-58-2, 27-58-4