Access Saves Lives: Wisconsin Well Woman Program Provides Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings for Underinsured Women

With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wisconsin established the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) in 1993 as a state level component of the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For over 30 years, the WWWP has been instrumental in improving access to breast and cervical cancer screenings and other essential health services for women in Wisconsin who are under- or uninsured.

To be eligible for the WWWP, women must be:

• Aged 40-64, or between 35-39 with symptoms of certain qualifying health conditions
• Within the program’s income limits, at or below 250% of the federal poverty level
• Under- or uninsured, without coverage for preventive screenings or with high deductibles that limit access

Screenings and diagnostics tests for breast and cervical cancer are offered by participating providers at no cost to WWWP clients. Additional services, including pelvic exams and tests for human papillomavirus and multiple sclerosis, are provided to WWWP clients without premium, deductible, or copayment charges.

The program is integrated in most Wisconsin counties and collaborates with tribal coordinators to reach as many women as possible. By removing financial and other barriers to care, the WWWP empowers women throughout Wisconsin to make informed decisions about their health.