As part of SAAPRI’s ongoing work to advance health equity and breast cancer awareness in South Asian communities, this policy update highlights Illinois HB4180 and its expanded insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings and treatment. The update outlines key provisions of the law and considerations for South Asian women navigating breast health and care.
In 2024, Illinois state legislature passed HB4180. Championed by House Rep. Nabeela Syed and co-written by My Density Matters, HB4180 increases access to breast cancer screening methods by mandating expanded insurance coverage for mammograms, molecular breast imaging (MBIs), and reconstructive surgeries. The bill went into effect January 1, 2026.
This effort aligned with SAAPRI’s broader mission to increase awareness of and destigmatize breast cancer within the South Asian community. In 2023, SAAPRI hosted a webinar series where South Asian American women courageously shared their experiences following a diagnosis. These conversations highlighted what it is like to navigate breast cancer as a South Asian woman, reduced the barrier to health literacy, and unpacked medical research and community surveys. This campaign culminated in a report SAAPRI published in 2024, entitled Breaking Barriers: Unpacking Breast Cancer Challenges & Triumphs for South Asian Americans, documenting the unique experiences, challenges, and barriers South Asian American women face in breast cancer awareness, screening, and care.
As HB 4180 went into effect this year, SAAPRI seeks to bridge the gap between the bill and our community. A summary of the bill is shared below for community members, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and educators to access.
Summary
HB4180 went into effect January 1, 2026, expanding insurance coverage for various forms of breast cancer screenings and treatment for all people, regardless of their gender. Insurance companies should have provided written notice of updated coverage to the insured.
Insights
Under this law, screening mediums, like diagnostic mammograms and molecular breast imaging (MBI), are mandated to be covered by insurance for all patients when medically necessary. These services cannot be subject to deductibles, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost sharing requirements.
Additionally, insurance policies that already allow for mastectomies must also provide for prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgeries incident to mastectomies, such as reconstruction for the breast that was surgically performed on, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast, and prostheses and treatment for physical complications. These treatment options shall be subject to deductibles and coinsurance conditions.
By ensuring mammograms and molecular breast imaging (MBIs) are not subject to deductibles, coinsurance, or copayment, this bill lowers cost-preventative barriers to breast cancer screening. Expanding coverage for MBIs is important because they detect breast cancer in people with denser breasts with more reliability than mammograms. A mammogram is an X-ray that shows breast structure, often struggling to detect tumors in dense tissue, while Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a functional test using a radioactive tracer to highlight metabolically active cancer cells, regardless of density. MBI finds three to four times more cancers than mammography in women with dense breasts, with significantly lower, less painful compression.
Early detection, whether through mammograms or MBIs, is crucial, as one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of their family history. Having reliable screening methods that are covered by insurance will encourage women to get screened early and more often.
Impacts on South Asian Women
South Asian women may have sensitivities around breast cancer screening and treatment options. The following considerations may be relevant:
- Early and consistent screening is important. Mammograms do not increase risk of cancer. In fact, they can detect breast cancer, if it is there.
- Some individuals may not be aware of their breast density. With insurance now covering Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) when medically necessary, this may be an option for South Asian women to discuss with their healthcare provider.
- Individuals who undergo a mastectomy may have the option of reconstructive surgery to restore breast shape, which can be discussed with a healthcare provider.
- Patients may request a female physician at any stage of the screening or treatment process.
- In cases where insurance coverage is denied, patients may review how services were coded with their provider, contact their insurer, request a billing review, or file a consumer insurance complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance. Applicable policies may require certain screenings to be covered without cost-sharing and may include reconstructive surgery as part of treatment.
Resources
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
The IBCCP program offers free screening to women between the ages of 21-64 living in Illinois without insurance or with insurance that doesn’t cover breast and cervical cancer.
- To inquire about eligibility, call the Women’s Health Line: 888-522-1282
Indo-American Center
Interested in receiving a screening? Reach out to one of IAC’s patient navigators below, who will be able to guide you through the process!
- Kaneez Khan: kkhan@indoamerican.org; 773-873-4444 ext: 102
- Farhat Khatoon: fkhatoon@indoamerican.org; 773-973-4444 ext: 22