No-cost preventive screening mammogram campaign to take place in mid-July

Purdue is again partnering with the Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center in an effort to increase the University’s mammogram screening rate. Since the implementation of the no-cost screening mammogram program, which supports the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, screening rates for mammograms increased from 39% in 2014 to 70% in 2019. Screening rates fell to 67% in 2020, but then increased to 68% in 2021.

“Prior to COVID-19, we saw a consistent increase in the mammogram screening rates year after year,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “As individuals have begun to resume some activities, such as going to see their physician and getting routine screenings, our goal with the 2022 screening mammogram campaign is to remind individuals that mammograms matter, which we hope will continue to increase screening rates for the Purdue community.”

Benefits-eligible employees at the West Lafayette campus and their covered spouses are eligible to register, but priority will be given to those who have not had a screening in two or more years. The screening campaign is available to females (employee and/or spouse) only.

Purdue’s health plans, administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, cover preventive (nondiagnostic) screening mammograms for females ages 41 to 70. Those age 40 or under should talk to their provider about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.

Screenings will take place at Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center, located at 3920 St. Francis Way, Suite 215, Lafayette, during the following days and times:

• July 13 (W): 7 a.m.-5:50 p.m.
• July 14 (Th): 7 a.m.-5:50 p.m.
• July 15 (F): 7 a.m.-4:50 p.m.
• July 16 (Sa): 7:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m.

Purdue will offer up to 90 minutes of paid time off – with supervisor approval – for employees who wish to take advantage of the screening opportunities.  

Employees or covered spouses can register for an appointment by calling Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center at 765-423-6170 (option 2) by July 6. Phone lines to register are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers will be asked for location of exam (Lafayette) and type of exam (screening mammogram). Registrants also will be screened to ensure they are appropriate candidates. No individual participant information will be shared with Purdue.

Additional information, including FAQs and a guide for supervisors, is available on the Mammograms matter webpage.  

Earn Healthy Boiler incentive dollars

As a reminder, mammograms are included in the 2022 Healthy Boiler incentive as one of the optional well-being screenings in Step 2. Therefore, those who get their mammogram screening – either through this campaign or at another time in 2022 – and log completion into the Healthy Boiler portal are eligible for additional incentive dollars. More information on how to earn incentives via the Healthy Boiler Program is available online.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or hr@purdue.edu.

Employees at Purdue University Northwest and Purdue University Fort Wayne should contact their campus Human Resources offices for information about mammography resources in their areas.