Senate Convenes to Advance H621 Ensuring No-Cost Sharing for Diagnostic Breast Imaging

The Vermont Senate advanced H621 after a reporter outlined the bill’s aim to ensure women have no cost sharing for medically necessary diagnostic breast imaging, including callback mammograms and 2D/3D imaging, ultrasound and MRI. The reporter said the change is intended to address a decline in screening rates and clarify coverage; the chamber ordered the bill for third reading by voice vote.

The reporter cited a UVM report showing declining mammography screening among Vermonters ages roughly 50–74 and said callback mammograms — which occur after an unclear screening image — affect about 10–12% of mammograms and should be treated as diagnostic with no cost sharing. The reporter said most health plans already cover such services without cost sharing and that the bill excludes high-deductible health plans because of federal rules. She proposed an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, to give insurers time to adjust.

Senator from Caledonia asked whether testimony addressed potential premium impacts. The reporter said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and other insurers testified; their estimate was that the fiscal impact on premiums would be de minimis because many plans already provide the coverage and Medicaid already covers the services. The reporter also noted that ERISA self-insured plans would not be covered by the bill.

The presiding officer called the question for third reading and announced that the ayes had it; the measure was ordered for third reading. The transcript reflects the advancement by voice vote; no roll-call tally appears in the record provided.