The Best Chance Network (BCN) provides women with free breast and cervical cancer screenings if you:
- No insurance
- Are between the ages of 47 and 64
- Meet certain income guidelines
It’s our goal to reduce deaths from breast and cervical cancer by catching these cancers early. According to national and state statistics:
- Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. It’s second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death.
- Breast and cervical cancers are often detected too late. If found early, the five year survival rates are 98 percent for breast cancer and 92 percent for cervical cancer.
- South Carolina has one of the highest rates of uninsured women in the nation.
Services
BCN services include:
- Mammograms
- Clinical breast exams
- Pap tests
- Pelvic exams
- Diagnostic procedures
- Case management
- Community education on breast/cervical cancer and early detection
If you qualify for BCN services, you may also quality for the WiseWoman Program.
Income Guidelines
Best Chance Network Income Eligibility Guidelines For The Period of 06/30/12 –06/29/13 |
|
Family Size |
SCALE <200% PATIENT PAYS 0% Annual Income |
1 |
$22,340 or less |
2 |
$30,260 or less |
3 |
$38,180 or less |
4 |
$46,100 or less |
5 |
$54,020 or less |
6 |
$61,940 or less |
7 |
$69,860 or less |
8 |
$77,780 or less |
Note: Add $7,920 for each additional family member. |
|
Enrolling in the BCN
If you or someone you know may qualify for breast and cervical cancer screening through this program, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 and ask about the Best Chance Network.
Funding
BCN is funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and through state funds allocated by the S.C. Legislature. CDC has financially supported the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) since 1991 and state funds have supported the BCN since 2008.
Partners
BCN is a network of public and private partnerships. More than 250 health care providers offer screening and follow-up services. BCN partners include:
- Federally-funded primary care centers in the S.C. Primary Health Care Association
- Private physicians, including surgeons and gynecologists
- Laboratories
- University sponsored clinics
- Free clinics
- Regional medical centers
- Radiology facilities
Information for Contracted Providers
Milestones for BCN
- Since1995, the American Cancer Society (ACS), South-Atlantic Division, has worked with DHEC to help coordinate BCN services with providers, recruit eligible women into the program, and provide professional education for the program. DHEC oversees BCN administration and management, contractual agreements for screening and follow-up services, case management, quality assurance, tracking, surveillance, and program evaluation.
- In October 2000, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, which provides federal matching funds for treatment of women screened through the BCN program.
- In 2001, South Carolina allocated state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide Medicaid coverage for women that were screened by the NBCCEDP funded Best Chance Network. This Medicaid coverage includes treatment of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and pre-cancerous breast and cervical conditions.
- In July 2005, the S.C. Legislature appropriated funds to expand Medicaid coverage for breast and cervical cancer treatment. The expansion means that any woman under age 65 who has been diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer and meets the income or other eligibility guidelines may be eligible for Medicaid. For more information, visit the S.C. Health and Human Services agency.
- In 2008 and 2009, the S.C. State Legislature appropriated $2 million to expand the Best Chance Network. The state funds allow the program to expand age eligibility and to screen more women throughout the state
National Report on Early Detection Program
National Report on the National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: 1991-2002 (pdf) - CDC summarizes the first 12 years of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The report covers the program's framework, history, and future direction, and it includes data on breast and cervical cancer screening outcomes for the women served through the program.
For BCN Services Contact:
the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. They have a list of all BCN providers. For women not meeting the BCN eligibility guidelines, the American Cancer Society may also be able to identify other resources such as reduced fees or sliding scale fees for breast and cervical cancer screenings.