Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

BOZEMAN DEACONESS HOSPITAL - Bozeman, Montana
Greater Gallatin United Way/Bozeman Deaconess Mammogram Program

Overview
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital is a Joint Commission-certified, licensed Level III trauma center, located in Gallatin County.  The 86-bed facility serves southwest Montana.  As a non-profit hospital, it is Bozeman Deaconess’ obligation to care for all patients regardless of ability to pay.  When a patient’s financial resources are not sufficient to pay for the health care services they received, they may apply for various charity care programs.

Breast cancer afflicts women of all socioeconomic levels, but all too often, it is those without adequate health plan coverage and/or of low income that are not diagnosed until it is too late.  For this reason, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and the Greater Gallatin United Way partnered to offer the Greater Gallatin United Way/Bozeman Deaconess Mammogram Program.  The program was established to make lifesaving mammogram detection and diagnostic breast imaging available to all women regardless of income or health plan status.

Funding is available for screening and diagnostic mammograms based on the following criteria: low income status and uninsured or underinsured healthcare coverage.  It was determined that even though some women have health insurance coverage, some health plans have prohibitively high co-pays for mammography.

The process begins with an application.  For those applicants who qualify for the program and have submitted all appropriate documents, a mammogram voucher is mailed within seven business days.  Voucher recipients then schedule their own mammogram appointment through Advanced Medical Imaging.  A health information center coordinator contacts each patient one month after the screening to discuss the outcome in order to track the program’s effectiveness.

Impact
In 2008, 37 women qualified for and utilized the program and had either a mammogram screening and/or diagnostic breast image.  Of those 37 screenings, 21 were determined to be clear and 5 were indicated for further testing.  The program coordinator was unable to contact 11 of the 37, so a diagnosis was not reported.

Challenges/success factors
The program’s most challenging aspect is educating the target population of the availability of the program.  Current efforts include media press releases, posters, and flyers in clinics and other healthcare offices, messages played on the hospital’s “on-hold” telephone system, increased Web site presence, and partnering with the local health department, which offers a similar plan through the state to ensure the broadest coverage for women.

The program has seen many successes.  This year, the small co-pay women were once asked to pay was dropped.  In addition, Advanced Medical Imaging has discounted the cost of the mammogram specifically for the program, which helps to extend the dollars and cover more screenings.  Many participants acknowledged they delayed this exam due to financial concerns.  Because of this program, they were able to take care of themselves and have peace of mind.

Future direction/sustainability
Gallatin County statistics have shown that less than 50 percent of the women in the county are receiving regular recommended mammograms.  The goal for 2009 is to grow the program so that 100 percent of women in need are able to use the program.  Community support through generous donations to the Bozeman Deaconess Foundation and the Greater Gallatin United Way has continued to fund this program’s growth.

Advice to others: It is essential to establish realistic goals and set parameters for the mammogram program.  As the program has grown, so too have the program’s goals.  We realized that the true impact of the mammogram program is to ensure that all women who require this important screening receive it.  Furthermore, should a program participant require further diagnostic testing, the mammogram project will, in most cases, cover those costs as well.  Most importantly, we found that making the program easily accessible to all would be of most benefit to those in need in the community.

Contact: Connie Martin
Marketing Communications Manager
Telephone: (406) 522-1885
E-mail: cjmartin@bdh-boz.com