Brazil's ANS mandates digital mammography coverage for all ages

The National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) has mandated that health insurance plans must cover digital mammography for all individuals with medical indication, effective October 1. This decision removes previous age restrictions that limited mandatory coverage to women between 40 and 69 years old.

The new regulation ensures access regardless of age or gender, including non-binary individuals, centering coverage on clinical evaluation and medical prescription. Digital mammography is considered an advancement over conventional methods, offering more detailed images, lower radiation exposure, and reduced discomfort during breast compression.

The decision follows discussions within the Commission for Updating the List of Procedures and Events in Supplementary Health (Cosaúde), which noted that digital technology is already the standard of oncological care. This measure aligns with Pink October, a month dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The National Cancer Institute (Inca) estimates that Brazil records approximately 73,610 new breast cancer cases annually.