New guidelines released in July by the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) mean more Indiana women are eligible for financial assistance with the costs of diagnosing breast and cervical cancer, state health officials announced.
The BCCP guidelines allow women who meet age and income requirements to receive breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services. To qualify, women must have a gross income at or below 200 percent of federal poverty level and be between the ages of 30 and 64. Women with or without insurance may qualify for BCCP. To see the federal poverty guidelines, go to http://www.in.gov/isdh/19859.htm.
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Indiana, with 4,703 cases diagnosed during 2013 alone. Regular medical care can lead to early detection. When breast cancer is detected early, before a lump can be felt, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent.
Although many women now have access to cancer screening services through health insurance, there still may be financial barriers associated with obtaining diagnostic services following an abnormal cancer screening. These barriers often are associated with high-deductible health plans. Out-of-pocket costs vary among insurance plans, so women should talk with their health care and insurance providers about the costs associated with diagnostic tests.
“Even with increased access to health insurance, many Hoosier families can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs associated with the tests that diagnose cancer,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “By expanding the guidelines for the BCCP, we are able to help relieve some of the financial pressure that families face during an already stressful time.”
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women get screening mammograms every two years beginning at age 50. Women with a family history of breast cancer, or who are at increased risk, should talk to their health care provider about whether screening at an earlier age is appropriate.
Indiana women ages 18 to 64 who have already been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer outside the BCCP may be eligible for financial assistance through the Indiana MA-12 program. Those who are enrolled in the Medicaid program receive coverage throughout the duration of their cancer treatment.
The BCCP is part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and has been providing screening and diagnostic services to uninsured women for more than 20 years. For more information on the BCCP, to verify eligibility for free screenings or to obtain assistance with diagnostic testing, contact the program at 317-233-7448 or visit http://www.in.gov/isdh/24967.htm.
To learn more about breast cancer, including information on signs and symptoms, benefits of early detection and behaviors that can help decrease risk, please refer to the Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures 2015 report, a comprehensive report on the burden of cancer in Indiana, at http://www.indianacancer.org. This website also provides information about the Indiana Cancer Consortium, a statewide network of partnerships whose mission is to reduce the cancer burden in Indiana.
For more information about the Indiana State Department of Health, visit http://www.statehealthin.gov or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
Hoosiers who do not have health care coverage or access to a doctor are encouraged to check availability for the new Healthy Indiana Plan—HIP 2.0—by visiting http://www.HIP.IN.gov or calling 1-877-GET-HIP-9.
