Ladies, have you had a Mammogram this year? A free mammogram?
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, after lung cancer.
All women are at risk for breast cancer. A woman in the United States has a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer, though this is rare.
The health care law already requires most health plans to cover certain recommended preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost. This means that women can get free annual mammograms, and those who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer can get genetic counseling at no additional cost. Many of us, probably most of us have lost family or a friend to breast cancer. This feature of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) can save lives.
Please forward this email to a woman in your life.
22 Preventive Services covered at 100%
The ACA (Affordable Care Act has 22 covered services specifically for women. There are also of course a lot of Preventive Services for men. In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness month I offer you this list.
22 Preventive Service for Women, including Pregnant Women, covered at 100%.
Anemia screening on a routine basis for pregnant women
Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screening for pregnant women
BRCA counseling about genetic testing for women at higher risk
Breast Cancer Mammography screenings every 1 to 2 years for women over 40
Breast Cancer Chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk
Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, as well as access to breastfeeding supplies, for pregnant and nursing women*
Cervical Cancer screening for sexually active women
Chlamydia Infection screening for younger women and other women at higher risk
Contraception: Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling, not including abortifacient drugs*
Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women*
Folic Acid supplements for women who may become pregnant
Gestational diabetes screening for women 24 to 28 weeks pregnant and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes*
Gonorrhea screening for all women at higher risk
Hepatitis B screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening and counseling for sexually active women*
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Test: high risk HPV DNA testing every three years for women with normal cytology results who are 30 or older*
Osteoporosis screening for women over age 60 depending on risk factors
Rh Incompatibility screening for all pregnant women and follow-up testing for women at higher risk
Tobacco Use screening and interventions for all women, and expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) counseling for sexually active women*
Syphilis screening for all pregnant women or other women at increased risk
Well-woman visits to obtain recommended preventive services*
For more information you can visit the Health Resources and Services Administration’s page on Women’s Preventivite Services Guidelines page hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Preventative Care Benefits page from HealthCare.Gov.