Healthcare (Insurance)

SB 19 requires Alabama health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening with no deductibles or copays for two groups: all men over 50 and men at high risk (defined as African American men or those with a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer or related risk factors). It expands existing law, which previously only mandated free screening for men over 50, to include high-risk younger men starting at age 40. The bill applies to all health insurance plans in Alabama and takes effect October 1, 2026. This policy change directly affects insurers (mandating coverage without cost-sharing) and beneficiaries (eliminating out-of-pocket costs for specified screenings).

HB 40 requires Alabama health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening without deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket costs for two groups: men over 50 and men at high risk for prostate cancer. High-risk men are defined as African American men or those with a father, brother, or son who had prostate cancer (diagnosed, developed, or died from it), or who carry certain genetic markers. The bill amends Alabama law to expand existing coverage requirements, ensuring these screenings are fully covered at no cost to patients. This directly affects insured men in Alabama who fall into these categories, removing financial barriers to early detection. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.