Breaking Down New Cancer Screening and Treatment Policy Updates Coming to New York

Every year, people across the country fall behind on their cancer screenings. Of the 31% of adults who are more than a year overdue, most cite out-of-pocket costs as the reason, and another quarter point to insurance approval challenges. This financial pressure, termed "financial toxicity" among cancer researchers, shapes nearly every health decision, from scheduling a screening to completing follow-up tests.  

Fortunately, several major policy changes have been introduced in the past year to reduce these high-cost barriers, expand access to screenings, and support people undergoing treatment. Here’s a closer look at the updates taking effect in the next year- both in New York and nationwide.  

Better breast cancer screening coverage  

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women in New York. Mammograms are essential for early detection, but many
people are caught off guard by the cost of follow-up imaging after an initial abnormal screening. While the first mammogram may be fully covered, diagnostic imaging like breast ultrasounds or MRIs often come with co-pays or deductibles.   

The new law now in effect requires health insurance plans (including individual, group, and non-profit or HMO plans) to provide coverage for breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging when a healthcare provider recommends it based on nationally recognized guidelines. The new expanded coverage includes diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRIs.  

This means that for most plans, you will no longer pay a copay or deductible for these covered services ordered by your physician, allowing more women to follow through with the full diagnostic and screening process.  

“We have made real progress in increasing breast cancer screening rates, but screening is not a single event - it only works if abnormal findings are followed by timely diagnostic care.” says Parisa Tehranifar, DrPH, a cancer epidemiologist and co-director of community outreach and engagement at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Too many women face delays or interruptions in follow-up and cost is a real barrier. Patients should never have to weigh their health against the cost. This policy change moves us closer to a system where clinical guidelines, not financial barriers, drive breast cancer care.”  

Lung cancer screenings & follow-up testing

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet screening rates remain strikingly low. In New York, only 21.8% of high-risk adults get screened, and nearly 70% of lung cancers in the state are diagnosed at a late stage.  

One of the biggest barriers is cost. While initial low-dose CT screenings to detect early lung cancer are often covered, the follow-up scans and diagnostic tests after an abnormal result frequently require co-pays or deductibles. These additional expenses deter many people from completing the screening process.  

To address this, a new law signed in December 2025 will eliminate all cost-sharing for low-dose CT lung cancer screening and all follow-up imaging and diagnostic testing. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, positioning New York as a leader in early-detection policy.   

HICCC’s COE office supported critical education for policymakers on the value of comprehensive insurance coverage for lung cancer screening and follow-up tests. Working with CUIMC Government Affairs, the team contributed background education for letters to the New York State Senate, Assembly, and the Governor, explaining how removing cost-sharing and other barriers can improve early detection.     

“We were able to bring that data- and patients’ lived experiences- directly to policymakers,” says Tehranifar. “That input helped infrom decision-makers with clear, evidence-based context as they considered updates to state coverage policies.”  

Cervical cancer screening at home

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, largely because of screenings that can find and treat precancerous changes early. But despite the effectiveness of these screenings, only about 75% of women receive them as recommended.  

Barriers are wide-ranging and common: lack of insurance, discomfort with pelvic examinations, or living far away from health centers.   

In January 2025, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) officially recommended self-collected HPV tests as an option for cervical cancer screening. At first, samples could only be self-collected in clinical settings. Then, in May 2025, the FDA approved the first at-home HPV self-collection kit, the Teal Wand, allowing individuals to collect a sample privately at home and mail it to a lab.   

Now, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has updated its guidelines to include at-home self-collection for high-risk HPV testing. Under these new recommendations, HPV testing is now the preferred screening method for average-risk women ages 30 to 65.  

As of January 1, 2027, most private insurance plans will be required to cover at-home HPV testing, as well as any necessary follow-up. This shift has the potential to reach those who have historically been missed by traditional screening programs.  

The promise of these current and coming updates is powerful: fewer delays, earlier detection, and improved outcomes, explains Tehranifar. “Policies like these change the trajectory of cancer care. When screening is easier to access and follow-through is fully supported, more cancers are caught early when treatment is most effective. Over time, that reduces mortality, eases the burden on families, and strengthens community health.”