Receiving screenings for breast cancer has never been easier in New York. New legislation has changed the way New York handles breast cancer, which is the leading cancer-related death amongst New York women. Here, we go over the biggest changes, and how you can take advantage of them.
Different Hospitals and Clinics Will Provide Extended Screening Hours
While not every hospital in New York has them, 210 hospitals and hospital extension clinics will now have extended screening hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday.
To find a screening near you, call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262), text “Get Screened “to 81336.
Eliminates Either All or Added Screening Costs
In eligible hospitals, annual deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance payments are eliminated. For women with no insurance, free screenings are available if they’re:
- 40 years old or over
- Under 40 years old at a high risk for breast cancer.
For uninsured women, the NYS Cancer Service Program offers free diagnostic testing and case management services. (find more information here)
Gives Yearly Four-hour Leave for Public Employees
Public employees in cities with populations exceeding one million are allowed 4 hours of leave per year for breast cancer screenings. All public employers are required to give this time by law.
Private employers are being encouraged to also give four-hour leaves. To see the list of current private employers who have adopted the leave, visit here.
No More Cost-Sharing For Diagnostic Tests
Women who require tests beyond regular mammograms, such as diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRI’s, will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket costs.
To learn more about New York State’s breast cancer services, visit here. To learn more about additional resources, visit here.