Breast and Cervical Health Program Washington State Department of Health Home Page

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			Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) READ About: Patient Questions or Provider Questions PATIENT FAQs Question: Isn't it age discrimination when you won't cover women under 40? Answer: The CDC created this program specifically to screen women between the ages of 40-64 for two common cancers - breast and cervical. In order to expand the program to younger women, please write to your congressman asking for this change. Question: Why won't the WBCHP cover my endometrial biopsy? Answer: Although your Pap result may have triggered the recommendation that you have an endometrial biopsy, the WBCHP does not cover screening for endometrial cancer. Therefore, an endometrial biopsy is not a WBCHP-covered service. Question: Why won't the WBCHP cover my Pap test? Answer: If a patient has had a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons, and has no cervical cuff left in place, then patient is not at risk for cervical cancer and therefore the Pap test and pelvic are not covered by the WBCHP. Question: Where is the nearest WBCHP provider to me? Answer: Pick your County to find the prime contractor closest to you. You have to contact them to be referred to a clinic in your area. Question: If I am WBCHP-eligible, will ALL my services be covered? Answer: No. Only screening and diagnostic services for breast or cervical cancer. Any additional services you receive from your medical provider will be your financial responsibility. Question: I am receiving bills from the radiologist for my screening mammography. They are threatening to send me to collections. My provider told me I qualify for the WBCHP. What do I do? Answer: Under the Breast and Cervical Health Program, patients are not to be billed for eligible services. If your medical provider is contracted with the WBCHP, and if you completed the necessary WBCHP paperwork (including signing of a consent form) that confirmed your eligibility for the WBCHP program, you should not receive a bill for covered services. A screening mammography is an eligible service. Contact your medical provider and bring the mammography bill to their attention. Contact the mammography center and inform them that you are a WBCHP client. If all else fails, contact the Prime Contractor for your area and ask them to help you resolve the situation. Back to Top Question: I have a vaginal itch. Is an exam and treatment covered by the WBCHP? Answer: No. Question: I have insurance but it does not cover yearly exams. Am I WBCHP-eligible? Answer: Maybe. If you meet age and income requirements you may be WBCHP-eligible. Question: I have been diagnosed with breast cancer through the WBCHP. Will my treatment be covered by WBCHP? Answer: Washington women enrolled in WBCHP found to have breast or cervical cancer will now be assured of the medical treatments they need, thanks to a new law passed by the 2001 Legislature and signed by Governor Gary Locke. If you are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, the WBCHP Case Manager will work with you to get you enrolled in Medicaid. Question: I have been advised to have a LEEP for my abnormal Pap. Is this service covered by the WBCHP? Answer: Sometimes. A LEEP is only covered as a diagnostic procedure after a colposcopy does not determine final diagnosis (cancer or not cancer). Question: Why isn't my doctor participating in the WBCHP? Answer: Good Question! If your medical provider wants to participate, have them contact the Prime Contractor in your area. Your medical provider may have decided not to participate in the WBCHP. If this is the case, you will need to seek WBCHP-eligible services from a contracted WBCHP provider. Back to Top PROVIDER FAQs Question: How do I sign up with the WBCHP? Answer: Contact the Prime Contractor in your area to sign up. Question: Why do I have to use a different Lab? Answer: Only those labs contracted with the WBCHP can be used. Contact the Prime Contractor in your area for a complete list of approved labs and mammography sites. Question: *Will the WBCHP cover a re-Pap visit?* Answer: As long as patient was previously screened, meets WBCHP eligibility criteria, has signed the WBCHP consent form, and has cervix or cervical cuff, the WBCHP will cover re-Pap visits. Question: Will the WBCHP cover thin prep Paps? Answer: The WBCHP reimburses for conventional Pap tests only. Question: *Will the WBCHP cover sterile tray?* Answer: No. Question: *If I decide to do additional testing during patient's yearly exam (urine dip or hemoccult, for example) are these tests covered by the WBCHP?* Answer: No. Back to Top

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Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program
Washington State Department of Health
NewMarket Industrial Campus, Bldg 13, P.O. Box 47859
Olympia, Washington, 98504-7859

Last Update : 03/13/2008 11:31 AM
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