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

Purdue University is again partnering with 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 by 3 percentage points to 67% in 2020 but have increased to 68% in 2021 and 72% in 2022.

“Prior to COVID-19, we saw a consistent increase in the mammogram screening rates year after year,” said Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “As individuals began to resume some activities in the last two years, such as going to see their physician and getting routine screenings, we again saw an increase in screening rates in 2022. The screening mammogram campaign reminds individuals that mammograms matter, and we hope we will continue to see increases in 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 years or more.

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:

• Wednesday, June 21: 7 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22: 7 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
• Friday, June 23: 7 a.m. to 4:50 p.m.
• Saturday, June 24: 7:30 a.m. to 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 877-233-2774 by June 14. Phone lines to register are open 8 a.m. to 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 2023 Healthy Boiler incentive as one of the optional well-being screenings in step 2. Those who get their mammogram screening – either through this campaign or at another time in 2023 – 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 here. 

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.  

The screening campaign is available to females (employee and/or spouses) only.