The program was created to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and referrals to low-income, uninsured women. The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap tests to eligible women. The program is funded cooperatively by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Screening and diagnostic services are coordinated through a number of lead agencies.
Who is eligible?
Women who:
- live in Illinois,
- do not have health insurance, and
- have limited income
- between the ages of 40 and 64 years for mammograms and breast exams
- between 35-64 years of age to receive pelvic exams and Pap tests
- Younger women may qualify if they have symptoms
- Non-citizen women are able to be screened. To receive treatment if diagnosed with cancer, the woman has to be LPR who has resided in the U.S. for 5 years or meets other criteria of qualifying non-citizen.
Where to apply?
To apply or find out income guidelines call (888) 522-1282 or locate a local health center near you. If you are a medical provider and your patient has no insurance and you has been diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer or a precancerous cervical condition you can download and complete an application. You will need to provide the needed medical information, and then call the 1-888-522-1282 to find the local Breast and Cervical Cancer program in your area. If treatment is critical, make sure the agency is informed of the health crisis.
What happens after you apply?
The screening agency will review the application. If the application meets the qualifying criteria for age, insurance status and diagnosis, the Lead Agency sends the application to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) for a final determination to be made of whether the applicant qualifies for Health Benefits for Persons with Breast or Cervical Cancer. HFS will notify the applicant, the medical provider and the Lead Agency of its decision. If approved, payment for services already provided may be able to be made.
Illinois Healthy Women
Illinois Healthy Women covers family planning (birth control) and some other services often provided during a family planning visit, such as the physical exam, pap tests, lab tests for family planning, testing and medicine for sexually transmitted infections found during a family planning visit, and sterilization. Illinois Healthy Women also covers mammograms, multivitamins and folic acid if ordered by the doctor during the family planning visit. Family planning services are free; however, you may have to pay a small co-pay if you choose brand name vitamins or other medicines ordered by a doctor.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for these services if:
- You are at least 19 and no older than 44,
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a Social Security number,
- You live in Illinois,
- You meet the income guidelines,
- You have no health insurance coverage for birth control, and
- You are currently not pregnant.
How to apply?
There are two ways to be enrolled. One occurs automatically, when you lose medical coverage you had through Family Care or TANF. This coverage is provided automatically for 3 months. When you are told about the coverage, you will also be sent an application to re-enroll, which you have to complete and return if you want to receive 9 more months of coverage.
The other way is for you to apply. Call (800) 226-0768 to obtain an application or you go on-line and download (en espanol) the application.