Free health screenings offered for uninsured women in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Starting this week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is offering free health screenings for women throughout the state.

The Women’s Wellness Connection is a grant program from CDPHE, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that provides cancer screenings for women ages 21-64 who are uninsured or underinsured.

"The Women's Wellness Connection provides screening for cervical cancer and breast cancer," said Kady Moehring, a Peak Vista Nurse Practitioner. "We do pelvic exams with pap smears, and then we also do a breast exam and order a mammogram, where you will be provided a voucher. So you also have a free mammogram."

It may be scary to think something could be found during your visit, but Peak Vista says finding cancer early makes it much more curable.

"If we catch cervical cancer or breast cancer early, over 90 percent of the time it can be cured,” said Moehring.

Peak Vista also has steps in place to make sure those without the financial means can get treatment if necessary.

“We have a women's wellness navigator, her name is Oceana, and she's fantastic," said Moehring. "She helps these women go through the process of getting their appointments scheduled. Also, if unfortunately, we do detect cancer, then she helps them get set up with the specific type of Medicaid that is geared for cancer treatment.”

Peak Vista says women who take advantage of the program typically leave their offices with the same sentiment: “They’re very, very thankful.”

To qualify, patients must be:

• At or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Without insurance or underinsured (meaning: their private insurance doesn’t cover preventive services, or they cannot afford their copayment/high deductible)

Those interested in the WWC program can call Peak Vista Women’s Health Center at (719) 344-7670 or call the Peak Vista WWC Coordinator directly at (719) 344-6066 for an appointment.

To find other clinics around the state, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/wwc.

Women can also call the American Cancer Society at 1-866-951-9355 for help finding a clinic near them.