Who is eligible?

Q: If a woman has Medical Assistance can she be on Early Detection Works ?
A: No. Medicaid already covers these services. If a woman has an application pending, she may enroll in Early Detection Works until she hears about the other coverage. Subsequent visits should be billed to those programs if she does obtain coverage.

Q: What about women on Medicare?
A: If a woman is on Medicare, she is not eligible for Early Detection Works..

Q: Will Early Detection Works pay for mammograms for women under age 40?
A: Yes, if she meets eligibility requirements, has a personal or family history of breast or cervical cancer, or has symptoms.

Q: Will Early Detection Works pay for a Pap smear if the woman has had a hysterectomy?
A: Yes, if the hysterectomy was done because of cervical cancer or if a portion of the cervix remains. Her clinician can determine the need by examining her. This can be determined following the initial Pap test.

Q: Does a woman need to provide proof of her income when she enrolls?
A: No. Self-report of income is all that is required. She may use her current monthly household income, average income over the last year, or income reported on last year's tax return. Some providers do require proof-of-income.

Q: If a woman is self employed (e.g. farmer) how is her income determined?
A: Use net household taxable income after deducting business expenses.

Q: Are non-Kansas residents eligible for Early Detection Works services?
A: Yes. However, as treatment dollars are made available through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, treatment must be provided within the woman's state of residence.

Q: e men eligible for Early Detection Works breast screening?
A: No. Although men do develop breast cancer (approximately 300 deaths per year in the USA), the vast majority of breast cancers occur in women (about 46,000 deaths per year). Men with abnormal breast symptoms are encouraged to see a health care professional for evaluation.

Services Provided

Q: Can a woman have an Early Detection Works mammogram only, without a breast exam?
A: No. She must enroll in the program and have a clinical breast exam at a participating Early Detection Works screening site. That site will order her mammogram after her exam. The report will be sent to the health care professional who examined her for the appropriate follow-up.

Q: Is a woman required to have both the Pap test and the breast screening in order to be in the program?
A: No. A woman may refuse to have a clinical breast exam and sign a refusal. The CBE is, however, strongly recommended. A woman may also request only breast screening. For most women the best approach is to have both types of screenings regularly and this is strongly recommended.

Q: What if a woman had her last Pap test/mammogram less than a year ago?
A: If the service is clinically indicated, Early Detection Works will pay. For women without problems, it is best to wait approximately one year between screenings.

Q: What about return visits?
A:Early Detection Works will pay for covered services as often as clinically indicated. Eligibility is reassessed annually. The Early Detection Works program will pay for common diagnostic services. Examples of services that Early Detection Works does not cover are: cervical treatments such as laser or cryotherapy, and cancer treatment. For a list of covered services and rates, see the reimbursement schedule.

Q. What if a woman is diagnosed with cancer?
A. Every attempt is made to help women with cancer find resources to obtain the care they need. Legal residents of Kansas who have no insurance and are diagnosed with cancer through Early Detection Works screenings qualify for the Federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, which provides dollars to pay for treatment of breast or cervical cancer. For more information, contact the regional nurse.

Other concerns

Q: What should I tell a woman who is concerned about her personal data and test results being released to Early Detection Works ?
A: Early Detection Works maintains all personal and medical information in a confidential manner. No information that could identify an individual woman is reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or to any other agency or individual without the woman's written consent.

Q: Is a woman required to return every year for the remainder of the program?
A: No. She may withdraw from Early Detection Works at any time, simply by not returning for future visits. However, annual screenings are strongly recommended.

For more information, contact Early Detection Works at:

Early Detection Works
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
Phone (785) 296-1207 or
Toll-Free (877) 277-1368
FAX (785) 368-7287