Tricare expands cancer screenings

Starting May 29, Tricare will cover Digital Breast Tomosynthesis - 3D mammography or DBT - under its provisional coverage program, according to U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). “This is a major victory for our female service members and veterans covered under Tricare,” McSally, a former A-10 pilot, said in a statement May 12. “I’m glad the Defense Department heard our repeated calls for change and implemented this commonsense policy.” All women over 40 are eligible for coverage. Annual coverage will also be available to women 30 and older, who are deemed a high risk for developing breast cancer. That means women who have a history of breast cancer have at least a 15 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer based on risk assessment tools, or have extremely dense breasts, among several other identified risk factors. Although other national payers including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare already cover 3D mammograms, Tricare has historically only covered the procedure following the detection of a lump during two-dimensional imaging. (Source: Military Times 05/12/20) https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/2020/05/12/3d-mammograms-will-be-covered-by-tricare-starting-this-month/