# Brazil removes age and gender limits for digital mammography coverage

> An ANS rule took effect on October 1, requiring private health plans to cover digital mammography when medically indicated, regardless of age or gender.

- Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026
- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Health
- Country: Brazil
- Published: 2026-10-06T17:11:49+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-07T05:56:57+03:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-02
- Other editions: [Türkçe](https://newsverum.com/tr/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md), [العربية](https://newsverum.com/ar/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md), [Français](https://newsverum.com/fr/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md), [Español](https://newsverum.com/es/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md), [Deutsch](https://newsverum.com/de/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md), [Português](https://newsverum.com/pt/news/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026.md)

Brazil’s National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) said an amendment expanding mandatory health-plan coverage for digital mammography took effect on October 1. When a physician indicates the exam, coverage is no longer limited by age or gender.

The previous rule limited mandatory coverage to women aged 40–69. The revised rule applies to screening, diagnosis and follow-up of breast-cancer treatment, with the clinical decision based on medical assessment. It concerns private supplementary health plans rather than the public SUS service.

## Data

### Digital mammography coverage

Former mandatory age band under ANS rule

Methodology: Comparison of the former and current eligibility rule.

| label | value | unit | period | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age under former rule | 40 | years | 2026-10-02 | observed |
| Maximum age under former rule | 69 | years | 2026-10-02 | observed |

Sources: <https://www.gov.br/ans/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-1/periodo-eleitoral/mamografia-digital-passa-a-ter-cobertura-sem-restricao-de-idade-ou-genero/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026/data/brazil-mammography-figures?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/brazil-ans-removes-mammography-coverage-age-limit-october-2026/data/brazil-mammography-figures?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [National Supplementary Health Agency of Brazil](<https://www.gov.br/ans/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-1/periodo-eleitoral/mamografia-digital-passa-a-ter-cobertura-sem-restricao-de-idade-ou-genero/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-06; Published: 2026-10-02)

## Correction history

- 2026-10-07T00:53:02+03:00: German and Portuguese editions and translations of the data and correction explanations have been added to this article.
- 2026-10-07T05:56:57+03:00: Data classification added: each figure now carries a measure identifier with its unit, geography, frequency and type. No figure, unit or date changed.

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