Idaho Expands Breast Cancer Screening Coverage for High-Risk Women

New state law requires full coverage of supplemental screenings with no cost-sharing.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:01pm

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Idaho has implemented a new law that mandates most state-regulated health insurance plans to fully cover one supplemental breast cancer screening per year for women considered at high risk, with no patient cost-sharing. The law covers advanced imaging techniques beyond just mammography, including breast MRI, contrast-enhanced mammography, and whole breast ultrasound.

Why it matters

The goal of the new law is to make additional, more effective breast cancer screening methods more affordable and accessible for high-risk women in Idaho. Early detection is crucial, as breast cancer found at an earlier, more treatable stage often requires less aggressive treatment and allows for fewer disruptions to daily life and employment.

The details

The new law, sponsored by Rep. Brooke Green and drafted with the help of breast radiologist Dr. Laura Linstroth, covers imaging studies beyond just mammography. This includes breast MRI, which has been shown to nearly triple breast cancer detection, as well as contrast-enhanced mammography and automated whole breast ultrasound. The law applies to women considered high-risk, such as those with a personal or family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition, or extremely dense breast tissue.

  • The new law went into effect on January 1, 2026.

The players

Rep. Brooke Green

The Boise Democrat who sponsored the bill while battling breast cancer herself.

Dr. Laura Linstroth

A breast radiologist for Gem State Radiology - Intermountain Medical Imaging who helped draft the legislation.

Dr. Elizabeth Prier

The medical director of the Saint Alphonsus Comprehensive Breast Surgery Center, who noted the benefits of supplemental screening for women with dense breast tissue.

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What they’re saying

“The goal is to make additional screening more affordable and allow us to diagnose breast cancer more effectively. Our goal with screening exams is to identify cancers before they are symptomatic. This usually means the cancer is smaller and more easily curable.”

— Dr. Laura Linstroth, Breast Radiologist

“Supplemental screening helps to detect a breast cancer at a smaller size/early stage. Dense breast tissue is an independent risk factor for developing breast cancer, and dense breast tissue can mask a cancer on mammogram. So, breast cancer can be missed on a mammogram when women have dense tissue and therefore could be detected at a later stage. Supplemental screening helps to catch it earlier because it is not limited by breast density.”

— Dr. Elizabeth Prier, Medical Director, Saint Alphonsus Comprehensive Breast Surgery Center

What’s next

The new law is now in effect, providing high-risk women in Idaho with greater access to supplemental breast cancer screening at no out-of-pocket cost.

The takeaway

This new legislation in Idaho aims to improve early detection of breast cancer by making advanced screening methods more affordable and accessible for high-risk women. Earlier diagnosis can lead to less aggressive treatment and fewer disruptions to daily life and employment, highlighting the importance of this policy change.