Breast and Cervical Cancer
Prevention and Treatment
Welcome to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid program's informational web site on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment (BCCPTA). This site is intended to provide materials of interest to various audiences regarding the prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancer. There is now a law that permits state Medicaid programs to provide medical services to certain women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000
On October 24, 2000, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-354) was signed into law. This Act, which has an effective date of October 1, 2000, gives states the option to provide medical assistance through Medicaid to eligible women who were screened through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) and found to have breast or cervical cancer, including pre-cancerous conditions.
NBCCEDP, which is administered by CDC, provides free breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up diagnostic services to women in need, such as those who are uninsured or have low incomes. In 2000, CDC began its 10th year of this landmark program, supporting early detection programs in all 50 states, 6 U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and 12 American Indian and Alaska Native organizations.
Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001
On January 15, 2002, Congress passed a technical amendment to the BCCPT Act. This amendment, the Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001, extends benefits of the BCCPT Act to additional American Indian and Alaska Native women. On February 28, 2002, CMS sent a letter to State Health Officials (PDF - 250K) advising them of this new provision. The amendment is attached to the letter.
Medicaid Eligibility Requirements
In order for a woman to be eligible for Medicaid under this option, she must:
- have been screened for and found to have breast or cervical cancer, including precancerous conditions, through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
- be under age 65; and
- be uninsured and otherwise not eligible for Medicaid
Presumptive Eligibility Option
States may also choose the presumptive eligibility option to facilitate and expedite the eligibility process.
Presumptive eligibility is a Medicaid option that allows states to enroll women in Medicaid for a limited period of time before full Medicaid applications are filed and processed, based on a determination by a Medicaid provider of likely Medicaid eligibility.
CMS Guidance
The Center for Medicaid and State Operations (CMSO) within CMS has responsibility for the administration of the Medicaid program. On January 4, 2001, CMSO released a letter to State Health Officials which describes the Act, the eligibility requirements, and what states are required to do if they choose to provide benefits to this new eligibility group. A State Plan Amendment (SPA) form is attached to the letter for use by states. This form is prepared by the state and submitted to CMS regional office staff for approval.
Additional Guidance Information
CMS and CDC are working together to develop further guidance which provides timely responses to important issues. CMS and CDC will release additional guidance as needed and as it becomes available. Comments and questions may be addressed to BCCPT@cms.hhs.gov.
Technical Policy Questions and Guidance (PDF - 232K)
Model Agreement for Provision of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening, Prevention and Treatment Services (PDF - 124K)
State Activity Map
State and Federal Government Agencies
CMS - Information on mammograms
CMSO - Center for Medicaid and State Operations
CMS - Regional Offices
State Medicaid Agencies
www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/mcontact.asp
or
http://medicaid.aphsa.org/members.htm
CDC - Call the Toll-Free Voice Information System at 1-888-842-6355, Option 7, or E-mail cancerinfo@cdc.gov.
CDC - NBCCEDP Programs within States can answer questions regarding NBCCEDP program eligibility, as well as provide information about locations where services are offered.
HRSA - Bureau of Primary Health Care - Community Health Center Program
DHHS - Department of Health and Human Services- National Women's Health Information Center
OPA - Office of Population Affairs - Office of Family Planning
AHRQ - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - Standards of Practice Guidelines
Organizations
APHSA - American Public Human Services Association,
NBCC - National Breast Cancer Coalition
NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures
NGA - National Governors' Association
ACS - American Cancer Society
Contact: Please send any comments or questions by E-mail to BCCPT@cms.hhs.gov
| Note: Some of the files on this page are available only in Adobe Acrobat - Portable Document Format (PDF). To view PDF files, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (minimum version 5, version 6 suggested). You can check here to see if you have the Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not already have the Acrobat Reader installed, please go to Adobe's Acrobat download page now. |
