|
The public health department offers the Breast
and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCCP) to Muskegon,
Ottawa, and neighboring counties. This program is offered
as a result of federal funds from the Centers for Disease
Control. With these funds, low income women have access
to life-saving cancer screening services and follow-up care,
including cancer treatment if necessary.
Through this program, women who have breast and cervical
cancer will be identified at earlier stages of cancer, when
treatment is less expensive and the survival rate is more
favorable. Working together with participating local medical
providers, we can ensure the highest quality breast and
cervical cancer care services are available to all women
in their communities.
Eligibility for BCCCP Services
To be eligible for BCCCP services, women must meet the following
criteria:
-
Have an income < 250% of federal poverty level (see
chart below)
-
Be uninsured or underinsured for these tests; and
-
Be age 40-64 for breast/cervical cancer screening and for diagnostic follow-up of breast/cervical abnormalities; or
- Be age 18-39 and have been identified with a cervical abnormality through the Planned Parenthood clinic located in our building (Family Planning Program - Title X).
Note: Women who are enrolled in a managed care
program, a health maintenance organization, or Medicare
Part B are not eligible for the BCCCP.
BCCCP Income Guidelines
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
each additional member add
|
$9,550 |
Uninsured Women in the Program
The BCCCP can also serve low and moderate-income women with
some types of insurance, but their insurer must be billed
first for the services provided. If their insurance does
not cover one or more of the services, they may be eligible
for free services.
Screening and diagnostic services
which are reimbursed by the BCCCP
Eligible women aged 50-64 can receive screening services
free of charge, such as:
-
Clinical breast exam
-
Pelvic exam
-
Pap test
-
Screening Mammogram
Breast or cervical abnormality detected
If a breast and/or cervical abnormality is detected from
the screening test/exam, the woman will be referred to community
providers for follow-up. Some follow-up services are covered
through the BCCCP. Program participants are asked to discuss
whether or not a procedure is covered prior
to having the procedure done. If the procedure
is not covered and no cancer is found, a payment plan can
be worked out with the healthcare provider. If a diagnosis
of breast or cervical cancer is given, the participant may
be eligible for Medicaid coverage through the Breast and
Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.
Coverage for treatment if breast or cervical cancer
is diagnosed
In the event of a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer
through the BCCCP, a woman may be eligible for Medicaid
coverage. If eligible, Medicaid will pay for all of her
medical expenses for as long as treatment for cancer is
required. Once treatment is no longer needed, the woman
is then potentially eligible (once again, based upon age
and income) for continued annual screening services through
the BCCCP. (Note: Women who are illegal aliens,
although eligible for BCCCP services, cannot receive Medicaid
coverage. Federal law limits Medicaid coverage to citizens
and legal aliens.)
Eligibility to receive Medicaid
coverage for cancer treatment
A woman remains eligible for Medicaid coverage until:
-
Her health professional deems the woman is free from cancer
and will not require continued cancer therapy, or
-
She no longer meets the eligibility criteria for this
program (e.g., has obtained creditable insurance coverage,
has reached the age of 65 and has Medicare Part B, or
has an income that exceeds the BCCCP Income Guidelines.
|
