Screening for breast and cervical cancer is vital to detecting cancer early when treatment is easier. Access to these cancer screenings is made easier through a program called Sage.
Sage helps low-income Minnesotans who do not have adequate insurance to access breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services (if screening tests are abnormal) and referral to treatment services.
For eligible women, Sage provides free office visits for breast and cervical exams, as well as a screening mammogram and Pap smears. Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Aitkin and McGregor clinics can offer Sage screening visits.
Sage is designed for those without health insurance or health insurance with a co-pay or unmet deductible or any out-of-pocket expense, or for those whose health insurance does not cover Pap tests or mammograms.
Eligibility criteria for Sage includes being born female or a transgender woman (male-to-female) or transgender man (female-to-male). Through the Sage program, breast cancer screening is covered for those ages 40 to 64, and cervical cancer screening is for those ages 30 to 64. Individuals ages 30 to 39 may be eligible for Sage services if they have a breast symptom(s) or have a family history of breast cancer (self, parent, child).
Eligibility for Sage is also based on income guidelines ranging from $3,261 a month for a one-person household to $$6,698 per month for a four-person household. Income guidelines change annually and are posted along with a list of participating health providers at the Minnesota Department of Health website at this link.
A breast cancer screening includes a mammogram, which is an x-ray test that is used to detect the presence of tumors or lumps in the breast. Mammograms can catch cancer early when it is easier to treat. Cervical cancer screenings may include a Pap test, which looks for changes to the cervix, and an HPV test, which looks for the virus that can cause cancer.
For any questions about Sage services at Riverwood, call Donna Flier at 218-927-2121, ext. 3656. Another option is to call the Sage office at the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-888-643-2584 to inquire about eligibility criteria, ask questions, and to learn of a participating clinic for a particular county.