New Jersey Senate Bill S1358

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Requires hospitals to provide breast cancer patients with information concerning reconstructive surgery; prohibits certain provisions in managed care plan contracts.

Impact

The bill significantly impacts existing healthcare practices by mandating hospitals to actively communicate patient rights related to reconstructive surgery in contexts related to breast cancer treatment. By ensuring that patients are informed of their right to choose their own reconstructive surgeons and receive surgeries regardless of network status, it aligns with a broader trend toward patient-centered care in healthcare legislation. Furthermore, the bill aims to curb potential barriers to accessing necessary medical procedures that patients might face due to network restrictions set by managed care organizations.

Summary

Senate Bill 1358 requires general hospitals in New Jersey that provide surgical services for the treatment of breast cancer to inform patients of their rights regarding reconstructive surgery. Specifically, upon a breast cancer diagnosis, patients must be provided with a written notice outlining their right to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon of their choosing, regardless of hospital or network affiliation. The notice should detail available treatment options, including the use of prosthetics, and clarify the coverage under health benefits plans for these reconstructive services. This measure aims to ensure that patients are fully informed of their options in a critical moment of decision-making associated with their treatment.

Contention

One notable point of contention that may arise from this legislation is its interaction with contractual agreements between healthcare providers and insurance carriers. The bill prohibits any contract clause that limits a healthcare provider from referring patients to qualified plastic surgeons outside their network. This provision engages with concerns regarding the balance between managed care organizations’ ability to control costs and the need to ensure patients receive appropriate care. Supporters of the bill argue that it enhances patient autonomy and choice, while opponents may highlight the implications for insurance premiums and healthcare costs as insurers adjust to possible increased demand for out-of-network services.