Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers: New Resources For Women Facing Breast Cancer

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has increased the amount of resources for women who are struggling with breast cancer in respect to testing, treatment and payment options. We are reminding you of this coverage since we know so many of our clients worry about how to pay for medical treatment.

Women who are in the lower-income bracket – meaning single-filing women who make less than $16,248 per year or women filing for families of four who make under $33,474 — are eligible for Medicaid, or comprehensive health insurance. This comprehensive health plan covers testing for breast cancer as well as multiple treatment options and includes a limited amount of copays per appointment or visit. A quick note: the state of Pennsylvania does give free breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who are on a limited income. This means that for single-filers the cut-off is $29,430 and for women who file for families of four, $60,630. If you fit into these financial brackets, you are eligible for these life-saving, free, health screenings.

The second resource that is obtainable through the ACA is for women who do not qualify for Medicaid, as detailed above. For women who do not meet the financial requirements for Medicaid, through their state’s insurance marketplace they are able to purchase a health insurance plan. What the ACA has done for women in this situation is to increase the amount of subsidies available, thus making the health insurance plan that is purchased through the Marketplace even more financially affordable.

Third, for the insurers themselves the game has changed. Insurers must now include such screenings in any plan they offer — and without copays for the insured. Even better? Almost all insurers also must provide this care without a deductible. This means that as a woman, you can obtain a breast cancer screening literally free of cost.

Last, whether or not you have any preexisting conditions no longer matters. The ACA prohibits insurers from using a patient’s preexisting conditions as a way to stop them from purchasing their health care plan and increasing costs. So even if you may have preexisting medical conditions you are still able to benefit from these resources.  

Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP

The Philadelphia Medical Malpractice lawyers at Galfand Berger have successfully represented clients who have been injured due to medical negligence, malpractice and misdiagnoses. If you or any of your loved ones have experienced such a situation, an attorney at Galfand Berger, LLP can help. With offices located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.