Some important things to remember:

Free or low cost services?
While we strive to keep this website up to date, it is possible that some clinics may have changed the programs they participate in. When you make an appointment to see a medical provider at one of these clinics, please ask if you can still receive discounted or free services through the program you are interested in.

There are other programs that may benefit patients seeking treatment for cervical cancer:

• The Medicaid waiver for breast and cervical cancer (MABC) is a program for women requiring breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cervical displasia treatment who have diagnosis through the SAGE or MDH Colposcopy programs ONLY.  To qualify, women must be age 40-64, earn less than or equal to 250% of the federal poverty level, have no insurance, and provide proof of citizenship.
• Assured Access is a program that confirms household income level and provides Hennepin County residents with a list of clinics that charge for outpatient services on a sliding fee scale.  Assured Access is not medical insurance.  Clinics base their charges on a sliding fee scale according to income.  Discounts range from 25-100% - clinics determine the discount.

Colposcopies
Some of the programs listed are those that provide low cost colposcopy exams. A colposcopy is a special test done to follow-up on some types of abnormal pap smears.  Your doctor has to refer you for a colposcopy exam; you cannot refer yourself. However we provide this information so that both you and your doctor can find a clinic that is convenient for you if you do need this exam.

Pap smears – how often?
Guidelines for how often women should have Pap smear depends on a women’s past history of Pap smears, age and other factors.  As a baseline you should assume you need a Pap smear yearly unless your doctor has explicitly told you otherwise at the time of your last Pap smear. It is also possible to have had a pelvic exam/speculum exam without having had a Pap smear. An example of this might be when your doctor is checking for an infection.  Pap smears are often only done at annual check-ups. If you aren’t sure when you had your last Pap smear, you can check with your doctor’s office. 

For more information on cervical cancer, see:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?dt=8