By Staff
Starting this month, Alabama is providing free treatment options for women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, provided they meet eligibility criteria. Women may participate in the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program if they: Have a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer; are younger than 65; have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Alabama; and are uninsured or underinsured.
Under the former Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000, free screening services and Medicaid coverage were provided to eligible women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the ABCCED program. Now women who have been diagnosed by other licensed physicians who are not providers in this program are also eligible.
Free screening services include an annual pelvic examination and Pap smear, an annual clinical breast exam, an annual mammogram, and diagnostic tests. Women may enroll in the program by calling toll free 877-252-3324 or by receiving a referral from a physician.