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DENVER, Colo. - New recommendations about mammograms have some people worried about the impact on their insurance coverage.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force on Monday recommended that women get mammograms every other year starting at age 50. This contradicts the recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology that recommend annual screening mammography for women starting at age 40.
With the task force recommendation, doctors and patients worry insurance companies could stop covering screening mammograms for patients in their 40s.
"I would not like to see other deterrents for mammography especially since it is such a life saving tool," said Dr. Kelly McAleese at the Women's Imaging Center in Denver. It's a concern echoed at Denver's Susan G Komen for the Cure.
"Obviously nothing is changing immediately. But we know that Medicare and other government funded health programs do look to the task force for recommendations and private insurance companies often follow," said Michele Ostrander.
FOX 31 contacted several insurance companies about this. Aetna says it will continue to cover annual screenings starting at age 40 while it reviews panel recommendations.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield says its position will remain unchanged for the immediate future.
Companies say they do consider the task force recommendations when making coverage decisions, but they also consider the recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force on Monday recommended that women get mammograms every other year starting at age 50. This contradicts the recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology that recommend annual screening mammography for women starting at age 40.
With the task force recommendation, doctors and patients worry insurance companies could stop covering screening mammograms for patients in their 40s.
"I would not like to see other deterrents for mammography especially since it is such a life saving tool," said Dr. Kelly McAleese at the Women's Imaging Center in Denver. It's a concern echoed at Denver's Susan G Komen for the Cure.
"Obviously nothing is changing immediately. But we know that Medicare and other government funded health programs do look to the task force for recommendations and private insurance companies often follow," said Michele Ostrander.
FOX 31 contacted several insurance companies about this. Aetna says it will continue to cover annual screenings starting at age 40 while it reviews panel recommendations.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield says its position will remain unchanged for the immediate future.
Companies say they do consider the task force recommendations when making coverage decisions, but they also consider the recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
