Malliotakis Urges CMS to Improve Medicare Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings for Women with Dense Breast Tissue

Image October 13, 2026 Press Release (STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz urging the agency to review and update Medicare coverage policies for supplemental breast ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue. The request follows a change in how Medicare coverage policies were interpreted under the Biden Administration in 2024. In her letter, Malliotakis raised concerns over reports of Medicare coverage denials for supplemental breast ultrasounds, which can help detect cancer that may be missed during traditional mammograms. She urged CMS to review its policies to ensure women have access to additional screenings when recommended by their physicians. “Early detection saves lives, and during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are highlighting the importance of ensuring women have access to the screenings and care they need,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “Last week, I visited Staten Island University Hospital to discuss the importance of early detection and the advances being made in breast cancer prevention and treatment. Part of that effort is making sure women can access additional screenings when recommended by their doctors, especially those with dense breast tissue, where cancer can be more difficult to detect through traditional mammograms. That's why I'm urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to review its current policies and address coverage barriers that could prevent women from receiving these potentially lifesaving screenings.” READ FULL LETTER HERE The letter comes during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and follows Malliotakis' recent visits to Staten Island University Hospital's Florina Rusi-Marke Comprehensive Breast Center and NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, where the issue of Medicare coverage for supplemental breast imaging was raised during discussions about expanding access to breast cancer screenings, treatment and care.