In the past, too many Pennsylvania women lost their battle against breast or cervical cancer because they didn’t have the money for proper treatment.
A single trip to the gynecologist sure can be expensive. A regular examination can cost up to $100 and requesting a mammogram and PAP smear can push the total bill well over $300.
Today in Pennsylvania, women of low or moderate income, diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or a pre-cancerous condition of the breast or cervix, can get quality care and treatment, regardless of their lack of insurance.
“The Healthy WomanProject targets women of need in the sense that they don’t have the proper insurance coverage or are just under-insured for doctor visits that are necessary in a woman’s lifestyle,” said Denise Kay, nurse practitioner at Dr. Thomas O’Brien’s office in Tyrone. “Now, women that normally couldn’t afford the services have a new option. It’s a great program that needs to be taken advantage of.”
According to Kay, the program is open to all low- to moderate-level income women aged 40 through 64. She said women who reach the age of 65 are, for the most part, covered through Medicaid.
“The idea of the program is to take women through the whole process,” said Kay. “We’ll start with a regular examination then progress to a pap smear and mammogram. The Healthy WomanProject pays for these steps, and also goes a little further.
“If any further testing is needed, the program will also cover those costs,” she said.
Kay said the income guidelines for women to qualify are “rather generous.”
“The guidelines are much more generous than they are for Medicaid,” said Kay. “Medicaid sets it standards as compared to the poverty level. But the Healthy WomanProject standards are 250 percent more than that. It makes it easier for women to qualify.”
The program is new to Tyrone and surrounding communities. Kay said those wishing to partake in the program can express interest when making an appointment.
“It really only takes about two seconds to get the ball rolling,” said Kay. “There’s no extensive paperwork that needs filled out or an involved screening process. If a woman comes in and says she can’t afford the costs associated with the examination, we’ll work as hard as we can with her to allow her to be involved in the program.
“We’re not going to ask for a bunch of paperwork or proof of income,” she said. “We just need to make sure the woman is healthy.”
According to Kay, she and the others who work in the office hope the program just brings more people through the door.
“Once they get here, we can find out what’s going on,” said Kay. “Maybe they come for just an examination or smear or breast exam, but they might have others problems that may need addressed. Maybe they just need someone to talk to about something. That’s what we’re here for.”
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, contact 684-3635,
“This is really a very, very good program,” said Kay. “Now there’s one less reason for people to say ‘I can’t go to my gynecologist’.”
