Partners can help take the worry out of mammography costs
With the continued down-turn in the economy, many individuals and families are faced with some difficult decisions. When it comes to stretching an already burdened budget, many are opting to cut back on what was once considered an essential. Among those is preventive medical care.
With a growing number of under or uninsured residents, paying for an annual mammogram may be out of the question, however, one Lee County non-profit organization may be able to help. Having assisted more than 7,000 clients, Partners For Breast Cancer Care serves as a guide to aid its client through the health care system and provides counselling and information about other community services to find the best solution on a case to case basis.
Partners For Breast Cancer Care relys entirely on donations to support its programs and operation. Among its major contributors is From Our Hearts.
Working hand-in-hand with other organizations, those in need of a mammogram, who cannot afford one may be referred by Partners to Lee County Breast Coalition whose goal is to improve access to treatment and care for low income and uninsured patients. In addition to mammograms other services provided by LCBC are ultrasounds, biopsies, lumpectomy, mastectomy, surgical consults and more. For eligibility to attain services provided by LCBC patients are required to have lived in Lee County continuously for the past 12 months, have no health insurance of any kind, have a prescription from a doctor for a mammogram, have a valid social security number, have a Lee County ID with a current address to prove residency and meet the financial requirements as established which places the client at 200 percent of the 2009 poverty level.
Another alternative for those who do not meet the requirements as established by the Lee County Breast Coalition is services provided by Radiology Regional. For those who do have insurance, are uninsured or do not meet the LCBC requirements, on Friday, Dec. 17, Radiology Regional’s Mobile Mammo will be at Southwest Capital Bank at the island center. Not only saving those in need of an annual mammogram the trip into town, Radiology Regional will accept most forms of insurance or provided discounts for self-paid clients. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., walk-in clients will be seen by trained mammography screeners and within 10 days the results will be sent to each individual as well as a designated physician in the mail. If a problem is detected, the client will receive a phone call from a technician at Radiology Regional to offer options for care.
“The response to our previous visits from the Mobile Mammo have been very good, but we also found that many working people could not get here so we have opted to provide later hours so that women can stop in on their way home from their jobs,” said SW Capital bank president Elsie Stearns. “By doing this, we hope to offer everyone an opportunity to take care of their annual mammorgraphy as easily as possible.”
For those arriving at lunch or dinner time, Mel’s Mullet Wagon will be on site to offer up a variety of meals at a reasonable price. According to Stearns, a portion of the food sales will be donated to the island-based organization, From Our Hearts who hold countless fund raisers for the benefit of Partners For Breast Cancer Care.
For those choosing to make an appointment or for more information, call Radiology Regional at 936-2316. For information about services provided by Partners For Breast Cancer Care or information about Lee County Breast Coalition, call 454-8583.