location  |  hours  |  directory  |  contact us An official County of Muskegon website
Home >> Services >> Breast and Cervical Cancer Control

Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program

The Muskegon County 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

  
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

Size of Family

Annual Income

1
$26,000
2
$35,000
3
$44,000
4
$53,000
5
$62,000
6
$71,000
7
$80,000
8
$89,000
For each additional member add

$9,000

  
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 40-64 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.

    

For more information please call (231) 724-1286.   

    


Family Planning Project for Women Under 40

The BCCCP has a partnership with the Family Planning program at Muskegon Family Care to assist women under the age of 40 who have had an abnormal pap test. In order to be eligible for services, you must meet income guidelines (see above) and have a referral from the Family Planning program. If further testing identifies precervical or cervical cancer, you will be enrolled in Medicaid for treatment. For more information, call Family Planning at (231) 773-3828.

   


Links to Additional Resources

Michigan Cancer Consortium