Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed legislation requiring health insurers, including BadgerCare, to fully cover medically necessary supplemental breast screenings and diagnostic breast exams for individuals with dense breast tissue or elevated breast cancer risk, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Also known as “Gail’s Law,” the act is named in honor of Gail Zeamer, who died in 2024 following a late-stage cancer diagnosis linked to undetected tumors in dense breast tissue.
Under the law, coverage must include screening modalities such as breast MRI, ultrasound, tomosynthesis and diagnostic mammography — even in the absence of symptoms, according to a March 19 news release. Insurers cannot impose cost-sharing for the first supplemental screening or any diagnostic exam in a given plan year.
According to the news release, more than 6,000 women in Wisconsin are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026. The law is designed to reduce delayed diagnoses and hold insurers accountable for ensuring access to early-detection services.
