Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act of 2021

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide hereditary cancer genetic testing for individuals with a history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation in a blood relative or a personal or ancestral history suspicious for hereditary cancer, and to provide coverage of certain cancer screenings or preventive surgeries that would reduce the risk for individuals with a germline (inherited) mutation associated with a high risk of developing a preventable cancer. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act of 2021 2. Hereditary cancer genetic testing of individuals with a family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or personal or family history suspicious for hereditary cancer (a) Coverage Section 1861 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x (1) in subsection (s)(2)— (A) by striking and (B) by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (HH) the following new subparagraph: (II) in the case of an individual with a personal or family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or a personal or family history suspicious for hereditary cancer, germline mutation testing. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (lll) Germline mutation testing The term germline mutation testing (1) have been developed by a nationally recognized oncology professional organization, including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, or any other oncology professional organization specified by a medicare administrative contractor with a contract under section 1874A; and (2) in the case of conflicting guidelines developed by more than one nationally recognized oncology professional organization, the least restrictive of such guidelines, as determined by such a medicare administrative contractor. . (b) Frequency Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1) (1) by striking and (2) by adding and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (Q) in the case of germline mutation testing as defined in section 1861(lll), which is performed more than once with respect to an individual described in such section; . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to testing furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Coverage of certain preventive surgeries (a) In general Section 1862 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y (p) Coverage of certain risk-Reducing surgeries In the case of an individual described in section 1861(s)(2)(II) for whom, based on evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines described in section 1861(lll), surgery would reduce the risk of developing cancer, such risk-reducing surgery shall be considered reasonable and necessary for treatment of illness under subsection (a)(1)(A). . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Coverage of evidence-based screenings for individuals with a hereditary cancer gene mutation (a) In general Section 1862 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y (q) Coverage of evidence-Based screenings for individuals with a hereditary cancer gene mutation In the case of an individual who is determined pursuant to genetic testing to have a hereditary cancer (germline) gene mutation, the Secretary shall increase any frequency limitations (or other limitations on coverage otherwise applicable under this title) for any evidence-based screenings furnished to such individual, to be in compliance with evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines described in section 1861(lll), or as determined appropriate by the Secretary, but not less frequently than on an annual basis. For the purposes of this subsection, evidence-based screenings shall include screening mammography, breast screening MRI, colonoscopy, PSA testing, and any additional evidence-based screening modalities appropriate for high-risk individuals as recommended by such guidelines. . (b) Conforming amendment for screening mammography Section 1834(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(c)(2)(A) subparagraph (B) subparagraph (B) and section 1862(q) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act of 2021 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of germline mutation testing for individuals with a personal or family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or suspected history of hereditary cancer, as well as for associated coverage of risk-reducing surgeries and screenings.