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Breast Cancer Screening Board Goals and Resources for Your Patients
You may know that one of our FY2025 Board Goals is to improve our Breast Cancer Screening rate from our FY2024 rate of 71.7% to 73% (with a stretch target of 74%). A key way we can help our patients receive this important screening service is by removing financial barriers.
In January 2024, Washington State enacted a law to prevent cost-sharing for screening and supplemental digital breast examinations. This means many people with commercial health insurance (including state-regulated plans) won't have to pay anything extra for important breast checks, as most commercial insurance carriers must cover the cost of these services. This includes:
- Additional diagnostic tests such as detailed mammograms and ultrasounds when initial screenings show something that requires further investigation
- Diagnostic testing for patients presenting with symptoms, including lumps, bleeding, or skin changes
- Additional screening services for high-risk patients through our High Risk Screening & Genetics Clinic genetic counselors
Most carriers already cover annual screening mammography for patients aged 40-74.
Valley Medical Center has also partnered with Valley Girls & Guys to ensure our uninsured and under-insured patients face no financial barriers to recommended screening services. Through this partnership, we provide financial assistance to eligible individuals via a simple online application process. To date, Valley Girls & Guys has never declined a VMC patient application.
To learn more:
- New Washington State law, please visit the Washington State Legislature site at wa.gov/rcw 48.43.076
- Financial support for your patient, please visit the Mountains for Mammaries grant application site here: Mammogram Grant Application
- Your clinic’s progress toward our Board goal, please visit the Breast Cancer Screening dashboard here: VMC Enterprise Goals - Breast Cancer Screening
Patient Resources:
- We Are Valley Blog: Mammograms made a little easier with new Washington state law
- Valley Medical Center Breast Center
- Valley Girls & Guys
- Patient Financial Services department at 1.855.826.1540 or 425.690.3578, press option 5.