H.R. 10970: Cardiovascular Disease Early Detection and Prevention Act of 2026

This bill would require health coverage to pay for two blood tests—lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB)—for certain people who are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, without charging them a copay, deductible, or other cost-sharing amount.

What tests would be covered

The bill specifically adds coverage for testing of:

• Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a)
• Apolipoprotein B, or ApoB

These tests would be covered for people with certain risk factors, including:

• a family history of early cardiovascular disease;
• a prior heart attack;
• a prior stroke;
• elevated LDL cholesterol;
• diabetes;
• obesity; or
• other recognized cardiovascular risk factors.

Who would be affected

The coverage requirement would apply to:

• Group health plans and individual and group health insurance plans regulated under federal law;
• Medicare;
• Medicaid, including certain Medicaid benchmark and benchmark-equivalent plans.

What the bill changes for patients

For people who meet the risk criteria, the tests would have to be provided without cost sharing. That means the patient would not have to pay part of the bill themselves for these screenings under the covered programs and plans.

Timing

The private insurance changes would take effect for plan years beginning 180 days after enactment. The Medicare and Medicaid changes would apply to covered services provided on or after that same date.

Purpose stated in the bill

The bill says the goal is earlier detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Its findings note that routine cholesterol panels may miss elevated Lp(a) and ApoB levels, and that these markers can help identify cardiovascular risk.

Relevant Companies

• ELV — Health insurer with Medicare and Medicaid plans that could need to cover these tests without cost sharing where applicable.
• UNH — Health insurer that could be affected by required coverage in commercial and government-sponsored plans.
• HUM — Health insurer with Medicare-related business that could be affected by the new coverage rules.
• CVS — Through its health insurance and managed care operations, it could be affected by the mandated coverage requirements.
• CNC — Medicaid-focused managed care company that could be affected by required Medicaid coverage of the tests.