[October 05, 2008]

WVU: No free mammograms: Free exams offered, but imaging costs

(The Dominion Post in Morgantown (WV) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 5--FOR INFORMATION on Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, go to www.hsc.wvu.edu/mbrcc/.

Mammograms are not among the free services provided at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, officials said Friday.

The cancer center issued a press release earlier this week announcing that free clinical breast exams would be provided Thursday. The press release added that follow-up mammograms or ultrasounds would be offered at the WVU Betty Puskar Breast Care Center.

While it did not indicate that mammograms and ultrasounds would be free, the release also did not indicate that patients would have to pay for those services.

"I probably need to look at that press release and make sure it's a little more clear for next year," said Dee Headley, director of radiology at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center.

Janet Shahan, 43, of Morgantown, said the announcement was misleading.

Shahan was referred to the Puskar center for a bilateral mammogram and an ultrasound following a free breast exam on Thursday, but she said she was turned away after she indicated she did not have insurance.

"If I'd known you had to pay for it, I wouldn't have even gone over," Shahan said. "That's the reason I came over there, because I don't have insurance."

Representatives from the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program -- a state program that covers free breast exams, mammograms and other services for women who meet certain age and income requirements -- were on hand, but they told Shahan she was too young to qualify for a free mammogram.

Shahan was instead given two options. She could go to clinics in Belington, Elkins or Clarksburg that do offer free mammograms for women her age. Or she could apply for free imaging services provided to uninsured women through the CASSIE Fund and set up an appointment for next week. If she is not accepted for CASSIE funding, Shahan was told the hospital could arrange a payment plan.

Headley said federal regulations prevent hospitals from offering imaging services, such as a mammogram, free of charge.

"We have to offer the same service to everybody," Headley said, regardless of age or income level.

Because clinical breast exams do not require the use of equipment, Headley said doctors are able to perform free exams on their own time as a community service.

"Free mammograms exist, but only when they are funded," Headley said.

Puskar center patients who do not have insurance typically meet with a financial counselor who helps identify funding options for mammograms and other imaging services. The CASSIE Fund, charity care, Medicare and Medicaid are all potential options, Headley said.

"A lot of times we're able to facilitate that to a woman's advantage, getting her into a program she wasn't aware of or didn't know she was eligible for," she said.

Headley said Shahan was referred to Belington, in particular, because the community is covered by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant that provides free mammograms.

The cancer center will offer free clinical breast exams again from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the WVU Hospitals Health Expo at the Morgantown Mall.

Patients who need a follow-up mammogram or ultrasound can stop by the WVU Betty Puskar Breast Care Center or WVU Cheat Lake Physicians for same-day service. There will be a charge for imaging services, Headley said, but financial counselors will be on hand to provide assistance.

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