HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3689        FILED ON: 4/21/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3645

By Mr. Galvin of Canton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. [BILL NUMBER]) of Cynthia Cushman relative to patient information regarding reconstructive surgery.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 70E of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Every facility that provides mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or a lumpectomy shall provide information to the patient concerning the option of reconstructive surgery following such procedures, including the availability of coverage for reconstructive surgery.  The information shall be provided to the patient in writing and in advance of obtaining consent to the surgical procedure.  The information provided shall include at least the following:

1.A description of the various reconstructive options and the advantages and disadvantages of each;

2.A description of the provisions assuring coverage by public and private insurance plans of the costs related to reconstructive surgery under Federal and State law;

3.A description of how a patient may access reconstructive care, including the potential of transferring care to a facility that provides reconstructive care or choosing to pursue reconstruction after completion if breast cancer surgery and chemo/radiotherapy  if warranted.