While Texas ranks high in the number of uninsured individuals, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer isn’t always out of reach for women.
According to multiple reports, including a 2018 WalletHub study, Texas ranks 35th in the nation for the state with the best healthcare systems. Some women may avoid getting their annual mammogram due to cost, but area hospitals offer access to financial experts who can help women find the assistance they qualify for.
Where to go
Dr. Kanak Durga Govindaraju at 147 Elmhurst Street, and Barrio Comprehensive Family Healthcare Center at 2810 Dacy Lane, are participants in the program according to Texas Health and Human Services.
In 2016, the Texas Legislature revamped its Healthy Texas Women program, which offers aid to women in households considered to be low-income. The program offers medical services through Medicare and Medicaid at no-cost, including breast exams and treatment at participating practitioners.
There are 13 participating practitioners in and around Hays County according to the Healthy Texas Women’s website, two of whom practice in Kyle.
To qualify for free aid from Texas Women’s Health, a woman in a single-person household cannot make more than $2,024 a month. More information about income qualifications can be found by calling 1-877-541-7905 or by visiting heathytexaswomen.org.
Dr. Jessica Mueller, OB-GYN at Seton Medical Center Hays, said a woman should get screened regardless of her coverage or lack of coverage.
Mueller said doctors can refer patients to financial counselors and can help explain their options. If a woman needs treatment for breast cancer but does not have insurance, government programs exist to help them, and the financial counselors can help explain that on a case-by-case basis.
“Women without insurance shouldn’t let that stop them from getting an exam,” said Maria Delgadillo, a financial counselor at Seton Hays. “They can meet with us before or after making an appointment and we can help them figure out what they qualify for.
Delgadillo said the hospital’s procedure is to meet with an uninsured woman and go through the application process. The results vary as some women qualify for financial assistance, some qualify for payment plans and many can get a $30 copay without having insurance.
“They will get treated, of course,” Delgadillo said. “If there’s an emergency, that will get taken care of. Some (Seton) locations offer free screenings (for breast cancer) and we can refer them to those locations.”
Another option for low-income and uninsured women is a trip to the Planned Parenthood in South Austin, which offers free diagnostic tools to women in regard to Breast and Cervical Cancer.
Planned Parenthood advertises that those who are uninsured, but do not qualify for government assistance, can still receive care at their locations at little or no cost.
