California Government Benefits for Cancer

Summary

California has several programs for cancer screening and cancer treatment. The California Department of Public Health has a program called “Every Woman Counts” that helps needy women obtain breast and cervical cancer screening. Treatment can be ontained for breast and cervical cancer through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP). In addition, there is the IMPACT program that helps men with prostate cancer screening as well as treatment costs. All of these programs can be accessed even if a person does not qualify for Medi-Cal.

What is the tool?

State funded programs that can offer screening and treatment to many Californians.

Why do patients use it?

• Provides financial assistance in cancer screening for some of the most common forms of cancer in the U.S.
• Provides treatment options for the needy who discover they have cancer.
• Takes the financial burden off family members

Who can Use This Tool?

Who is eligible for BCCTP?

You may receive full-scope Medi-Cal through BCCTP if you meet all of the following:

• Have been screened and found to be in need of treatment for breast and/or cervical cancer (women only), follow-up care for cancer or precancerous cervical lesions/conditions by an CDP:EWC or Family PACT provider
• Are a women under age 65 who has satisfactory immigration status or is a citizen or national of the United States
• Are a California resident
• Have a monthly gross family income at the time of screening and diagnosis, that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level for the family size
• Have no other health insurance including full-scope no share-of-cost Medi-Cal or Medicare.

If you do not meet the requirements for Medi-Cal through the BCCTP you may still be eligible for BCCTP (called State-funded BCCTP) if you meet the following:

• Have been screened and found in need of treatment for breast (men and women) and/or cervical cancer (women only), follow-up care for cancer or precancerous cervical lesions/conditions by an EWC or Family PACT provider
• Are a California resident
• Are a male of any age or any immigration status
• Are a female under 65 years of age with non-citizen or unsatisfactory immigration status
• Are a female 65 years of age or older; and/or
• Have health insurance, including share-of-cost Medi-Cal and/or Medicare

NOTE: If you do not have satisfactory immigration status you may be eligible for restricted Medi-Cal and the State-funded BCCTP.   Restricted Medi-Cal will provide benefits for emergency services, pregnancy services and long-term care.

Who Qualifies for IMPACT?

You may qualify if you:

• are 18 years old or older
• have a diagnosis of prostate cancer
• have low income
• have no medical insurance, and do not qualify for Medicare or Medi-Cal
• live in California

To see if you qualify for free prostate cancer treatment, call the toll free number 1-800-409-8252 to speak with an eligibility specialist.  The business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

Who Qualifies for Every Woman Counts?

You may if you:

• are 50 years old or older (25 years old or older for cervical)
• have low income*
• have medical insurance that does not cover these services
• have a high insurance deductible or co-payment
• are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program
• live in California

What are the Limitations?

INCOME CRITERIA For Programs (You May Still Qualify Despite making more than these Guidelines)

All recipients must have a household income at or below 200 percent of the poverty guideline. “Household income” includes the income of family members (spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters) living together. Poverty guideline level incomes are adjusted on an annual basis. The following are effective from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. “Gross income” means income before taxes and other deductions. 200 PERCENT OF POVERTY GUIDELINES
Family Members Living in Household	Monthly Gross Household Income	Annual Gross Household Income
1	$1,805	$21,660
2	$2,429	$29,140
3	$3,052	$36,620
4	$3,675	$44,100
5	$4,299	$51,580
6	$4,922	$59,060
7	$5,545	$66,540
8	$6,169	$74,020
For each additional member add:	$ 624	$ 7,480

What Does IMPACT Primarily Cover?

IMPACT provides FREE:

• Prostate cancer treatment for an initial 12 months.
• Help in finding a doctor or hospital close to you where you can receive treatment.
• Each patient with the services of the IMPACT Clinical Team.
• Short-term individual counseling for you and short-term joint counseling for you and your spouse or partner.
• Provide patient with nutrition information and how it relates to prostate cancer.

Also These Procedures are Covered for Free:

• Brachytherapy
• Chemotherapy
• External Beam Radiation Therapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Radical Prostatectomy
• Watchful Waiting

What benefits are available through BCCTP?

• Federal BCCTP provides full-scope Medi-Cal at no cost.
• State-funded BCCTP provides time limited, no cost services limited to breast and/or cervical cancer treatment and related services and payment of insurance premiums under certain circumstances.

How Long can I get coverage from BCCTP?

• Federal BCCTP provides benefits for the duration of cancer treatment, as long as the individual continues to meet all other BCCTP eligibility criteria.
• State BCCTP provides breast cancer treatment services for up to 18 continuous months and cervical cancer treatment services for up to 24 continuous months.

Limits on Every Woman Counts?

The only limits are the income requirements listed in the above table and women must be over 25 years of age.

How does the Tool work/what is the Process?

BCCTP Process

Step 1: Find A BCCTP Provider: For more information and to find a BCCTP enrolling provider, please call toll free 1-800-824-0088

Step 2: Application To Family PACT and Every Woman Counts

You must first apply to these programs through the medical provider you wish to use. visit the Family PACT website. Application materials for Every Woman Counts should be provided by your medical provider and will be mentioned below.

Step 3: What happens after I apply at the provider’s office?

After you apply at the provider’s office, your application is reviewed by State Eligibility Specialists.  The State Eligibility Specialist may ask you for more information, including the following:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of citizenship
• Social Security Card or an award letter from Social Security showing your Social Security Number
• Proof of immigration status
• Information about other health coverage (if any)

For IMPACT, You Must Contact them at:

IMPACT Program
P.O. Box 957180
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Toll-free: (800) 409-8252
Fax: 310-794-6789
Email: info@california-impact.org

They will walk you through all the necessary steps.

For Every Woman Counts, You Must Contact Them At:

Call 1-800-511-2300 Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

Languages Offered: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Vietnamese. If you qualify, you will be referred to participating doctors in your neighborhood.

If you don’t qualify, the CDP: EWC Regional Contractor in your area may know of other low-cost screening programs that might be available to you.  The Regional Contractors are also your link to support groups, advocacy groups and the latest information on what’s happening in your community.

OTHER WEBSITES THAT CAN HELP

Primary Resource: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Resource: http://www.familypact.org/

Resource: http://www.california-impact.org/xowiki/svcs

You should call an attorney if you: feel that you were denied access to health care facilities or websites and you feel uncomfortable filing a complaint on your own. In addition, if you feel you were denied Medi-Cal, refer to the Medi-Cal page to learn how to dispute a decision and appeal it, which may also require an attorney’s help.