 | | | Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP):
Frequently Asked Questions
| | | | | | | | |
1) What is Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? |
 |
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program is Medi-Cal health coverage for Californians, both residents and undocumented immigrants, who have a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer and meet financial eligibility criteria. To qualify financially for Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP), your monthly income from all sources cannot be greater than $1,634 for an individual and $2,200 for a couple for 2006. Medi-Cal's BCCTP became available as of February 2002.
|
2) Does what I have in the bank and/or what I own, such as my home or car, affect my eligibility for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? |
|
No. Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program has no asset restrictions. Your liquid assets and other property are not considered when determining eligibility for the program. |
3) Is the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) the only way to qualify for Medi-Cal? |
|
No. There are different ways you can qualify for Medi-Cal. Some Medi-Cal categories (programs) require a disabled individual to meet Social Security’s definition of a disability, while another does not.
Other ways to access Medi-Cal eligibility categories (programs) include:
Note: Medi-Cal is not universal health care. The majority of programs accommodate the needs of people who are poor.
|
4) Who is eligible for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? |
|
Your eligibility for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program is based on residency, income, age, gender and Medicare eligibility. Assets are not considered for eligibility. In addition, you need to have a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer, but the condition does not have to be disabling. Separate requirements apply for the State and Federal programs.
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP):
State-Only and Federal Programs Compared
|
State-Only Program:
|
Federal Program:
|
|
Residency
|
California resident or can have Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (United States residency is not a requirement).
|
Must be a legal United States and California resident (see Welfare Reform Act)
|
| Income |
200% of the Federal Poverty Level |
200% of the Federal Poverty Level |
| Assets |
Not considered
|
Not considered
|
| Age |
Any age |
Must be under age 65 |
| Gender |
Male or female |
Female only |
| Medicare Eligibility |
May be Medicare eligible |
Cannot be eligible for Medicare |
|
Benefit Coverage
|
-
Treatment for breast or cervical cancer only
-
Coverage is limited to 18 months for breast cancer and 24 months for cervical cancer.
-
BCCTP may pay for health coverage premiums if the individual is enrolled in Other Creditable Health Insurance
|
|
Note: If you are disabled and have combined monthly unearned income and countable earned income of not more than $1,047 ($1,472 for a couple) and meet Medi-Cal's liquid asset limitation criteria, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage at no cost through the Aged and Disabled program.
|
5) Where do I sign up for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? |
|
Unlike other Medi-Cal programs, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program is administered by authorized providers. To apply for the BCCTP program you must enroll through the state’s existing Cancer Detection Section (CDS) or Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT).
To locate an authorized provider call (800) 824-0088.
|
6) How much does Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) cost? |
|
Nothing. There are no premiums or deductibles for the BCCTP.
To qualify for the BCCTP, your monthly income cannot exceed 200% of the current Federal Poverty Level. For 2006, the amount is $1,634 for an individual and $2,200 for a couple.
|
7) What is the Federal Poverty Level? |
|
During the mid-1960s Social Security began publishing articles with national poverty statistics. Thresholds were developed by taking the cost of a minimum adequate diet for families of different sizes and multiplying the cost by three to allow for other expenses. Poor families were those whose yearly income was below the threshold for a given family size.
The current Federal Poverty Level is determined by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These guidelines provide a method for many government programs to determine financial eligibility. Each year, HHS issues the Federal Poverty Guidelines in the Federal Register.
This Medi-Cal program only considers the Federal Poverty Levels for an individual and married couples when determining eligibility and premium costs. Through 3/31/2009, the FPL for individuals is $10,400 per year ($14,000 for a couple).
|
8) How do I calculate 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)? |
|
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)uses monthly income to calculate 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. First, take the dollar amount next to your family size (see question 8) and divide this number by 12 to give you the monthly FPL. Second, multiply the FPL monthly income by 2. Third, round this figure up to the nearest dollar as is common practice with Medi-Cal. The final number will be 200% of the FPL. For example, to qualify for Medi-Cal's BCCTP an individual's (family size of one) monthly income at 200% of the federal poverty level is $1,634 and $2,200 for a couple (family size of two). 200% Federal Poverty Level Calculations
For an individual:
Step 1. Divide annual Federal Poverty Level by 12 (months)
$9,800.00 ÷ 12 = $816.66
Step 2. Multiply monthly Federal Poverty Level by 2
$816.66 × 2 = $1,633.32
Step 3. Round figure up to the nearest dollar
$1,633.32 = $1,634 (200% FPL for an individual)
For a couple:
Step 1. Divide annual Federal Poverty Level by 12 (months)
$13,290.00 ÷ 12 = $1,100
Step 2. Multiply monthly Federal Poverty Level by 2
$1,100 × 2 = $2,200
Step 3. Round figure up to the nearest dollar
$2,200 (200% FPL for a couple)
|
9) What does Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) provide and how long does it last? |
|
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program has a State-Only and Federal Program. You may be eligible to enroll in one or both of these programs.
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP):
Benefit Coverage Under State-Only and Federal Programs
|
State – Only Program:
|
Federal Program:
|
|
Benefit Coverage
|
Treatment for breast or cervical cancer only
Coverage is limited to 18 months for breast cancer and 24 months for cervical cancer.
BCCTP may pay for health coverage premiums if, the invdividual is in enrolled in health coverage
|
No cost full scope Medi-Cal for the period the individual requires treatment.
Annual renewal is required.
|
|
10) What prescription drug coverage comes with Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)?
|
|
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program provides different prescription coverage under the State and Federal programs. The type of prescription coverage you are eligible for depends upon which program you are enrolled.
Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP):
Prescription Coverage Under State-Only and Federal Programs
|
State – Only Program:
|
Federal Program:
|
|
Benefit Coverage
|
Prescription coverage for breast or cervical cancer treatment only.
|
Complete access to Medi-Cal prescription coverage at no cost. (full scope Medi-Cal)
|
|
11) How soon will I be eligible for benefits after applying for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)?
|
|
The processing of an application can take between 30 to 60 days. But, if you do not have any other health coverage, you can apply for accelerated eligibility. Once approved, an Immediate Need Card will be issued and you can access Medi-Cal coverage.
|
12) Can I qualify for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) if I have private health coverage?
|
|
|
Yes. Enrollment in private health coverage will not jeopardize your participation in Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. Obtaining private health coverage may enable you to access providers or services you may not have available to you on Medi-Cal alone. If you have private health coverage and are eligible for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program, you may qualify for the Health Insurance Premium Payment program (Medi-Cal/HIPP) that can cover your insurance premiums. Medi-Cal/HIPP will pay your premiums when:
- the health insurance premium, co-payment, and/or deductible costs total $750.00 or more annually; and
- the health insurance coverage is necessary to access cancer treatment.
When using private health coverage and Medi-Cal simultaneously, the private health coverage pays for medical services first. Thereafter, Medi-Cal pays for any other uncovered services.
|
13) What is the difference between the California Medi-Cal program and the federal Medicaid program?
|
|
California’s Medicaid program is Medi-Cal.
|
14) How do I stay enrolled/eligible in Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? How often do I have to reapply? |
|
The State-Only program provides health coverage per diagnosis:
The Federal program provides health coverage for the term of breast or cervical cancer and is renewed annually.
|
15) Can immigrants qualify for Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)?
Are there rules for immigrants to qualify for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program?
|
|
Yes. Under Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program, undocumented immigrants can be covered in the State-Only program. |
16) Can I work and receive benefits from Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)? |
|
Yes. You can work while receiving health coverage from Medi-Cal's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. However, your income cannot exceeds 200% of the Federal Poverty Level at the date of application. |
17) Are there other Medi-Cal programs that may be available to me, and how will they work with Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)?
|
|
|
When eligible for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program, you may also be able to access other Medi-Cal programs such as:
|
| | | |
|
