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Texas Insurance Companies to Pay for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as part of Cervical Cancer Screening in Women

David Clanton

Texas women may soon find some relief during their annual checkups as the Texas legislature has ordered Texas insurance companies to pay for testing for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Texas is the third state following New Mexico and Maryland requiring health insurance companies to pay for this test as part of routine examinations. (PRWEB) July 5, 2005 -- Texas women may soon find some relief during their annual checkups as the Texas legislature has ordered Texas insurance companies to pay for testing for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Texas has become the third state, following New Mexico and Maryland to require that insurers pay for testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) as part of cervical cancer screening for women age 30 and older. Texas will require the new coverage as of Jan. 1, 2006. Gaithersburg, Maryland based company Digene makes the only test approved by the FDA for high-risk types of HPV. New Mexico and Maryland, both of which recently passed similar laws requiring insurance coverage of HPV testing as part of routine screening. HPV is a common virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.

Digene's test, known as the DNAwithPap Test, accounts for more than 80 percent of the company's revenue. While only three states require coverage, Digene says an estimated 23 states have set up task forces to study ways to expand cervical cancer screening and educate women on the importance of regular screening and the availability of new approaches such as HPV testing. Digene reported fiscal third-quarter revenue rose 26 percent to $29.7 million as worldwide sales of its HPV test grew 33 percent.

Full story available at Texas women may soon find some relief during their annual checkups as the Texas legislature has ordered Texas insurance companies to pay for testing for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Texas has become the third state, following New Mexico and Maryland to require that insurers pay for testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) as part of cervical cancer screening for women age 30 and older. Texas will require the new coverage as of Jan. 1, 2006.

Gaithersburg, Maryland based company Digene makes the only test approved by the FDA for high-risk types of HPV. New Mexico and Maryland, both of which recently passed similar laws requiring insurance coverage of HPV testing as part of routine screening. HPV is a common virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Digene's test, known as the DNAwithPap Test, accounts for more than 80 percent of the company's revenue.

While only three states require coverage, Digene says an estimated 23 states have set up task forces to study ways to expand cervical cancer screening and educate women on the importance of regular screening and the availability of new approaches such as HPV testing. Digene reported fiscal third-quarter revenue rose 26 percent to $29.7 million as worldwide sales of its HPV test grew 33 percent. For more information visit: http://www.texasinsurancezone.com