New Missouri Law Increases Use of DBT

Background: Although insurance coverage of mammography by insurance companies is typically required, the coverage for the more advanced technique of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is currently variable among the states. Studies have shown that DBT has a better cancer detection rate and less false-positive interpretations, which lead to the coverage of DBT being federally required for Medicare patients. However, the coverage for non-Medicare patients is often dependent on the patient's state regulations. In 2018, Missouri passed legislation requiring coverage of DBT starting at age 40 years. Objective: To determine the effect of Missouri's legislation requiring insurance coverage of DBT by comparing the use of DBT with adjacent states not requiring this advanced imaging for mammography. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: The screening mammograms performed in Missouri on patients with commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare health insurance from 2015 to 2022 were obtained. These data more...