Suspension of changes in the nomenclature for breast examination reimbursement
The modifications for breast examination reimbursement, including mammography, will not be applicable from April 1 2018 and a new date has not been set yet. The date of entry into force of the three royal decrees that carry out the revision of the nomenclature concerning mammography is suspended until a new date is defined by the King.
After a consultation of various stakeholders, a revision of the nomenclature for breast cancer screening was drafted and published. This review clearly preserves the possibility of breast cancer screening for asymptomatic women if it is needed. However, regarding the general screening several reflections have been taken into consideration: its effectiveness, which is lower in young women, its disadvantages such as "overdiagnosis", the risk of radiation-induced cancers and unnecessary follow-up examinations. Thus, to acknowledge, it is important to make effective use of available resources to have quality screening for women who need it on the basis of scientific data.
Consequently, the conditions for the full reimbursement in the context of mass screening and the entire reimbursement of screening for women at very high risk do not change. The reimbursement of a mammography for the diagnosis of breast cancer or other pathology in women who have related symptoms does not change either. However, this benefit is no longer reimbursed for screening. A new benefit "for individual screening" can be attested for only women aged 45 to 74.