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Purdue University’s Center for Healthy Living Mammography Screening Event FAQs

In an effort to increase mammogram screening rates, along with awareness, we offer a program through Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center to reduce barriers to obtaining a preventive mammography screening. Mammogram screenings are an important, preventive screening and Purdue University wants to ensure its benefits-eligible employees have an opportunity to have these screenings done. Purdue’s screening rates for mammograms have increased from 39 percent in 2014 to 72 percent in 2022 and 2023. Purdue strives to be best in class in all areas, and our population health benchmark for mammograms is a best-in-class percentage of 85 percent.

Purdue University, in conjunction with Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center, is providing convenient access for employees to get their preventive (non-diagnostic) mammogram screening in paid status with supervisor approval.

Purdue’s health plans, administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, covers preventive (non-diagnostic) screening mammograms for females between the ages of 41 and 70. If you are 40 or under, talk to your doctor about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.

NOTE: The screening campaign is only available to females (employees and/or covered spouses).

Registration is open now. Call Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center at 877-233-2774. You will also be asked for location of exam (Lafayette) and type of exam (Screening Mammogram). All participants must be registered by June 14 to take advantage of the screening. Phone lines to register are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Appointments are available:
• Wednesday, June 19: 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• Thursday, June 20: 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• Friday, June 21: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
If you make an appointment, but find that you’re unable to keep it, please notify both the person who approved your release time and the Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center at (765) 423-6170.
Yes, with your supervisor’s approval, up to 90 minutes of paid time off will be allotted for screening and roundtrip travel to and from Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center and Purdue. You do not need to make up the paid release time.
The screening event is for benefits-eligible employees and their covered spouses who need to have their preventive screening completed, therefore the mammography screening will be provided at no charge to you. This includes traditional x-ray and 3D non-diagnostic mammograms.
Yes, you will need to have your insurance card with you on the day of your appointment to complete all appropriate forms for the screening.
You may be able to schedule an appointment just before or just after your shift. If you are unable to have your screening during your regularly scheduled work time, you will be participating on your own time, rather than on paid release time. You will still receive the eligible services at no charge.
Employees should talk with their unit head or designated supervisor in order to request the paid release time to be able to participate in the screening event. The employee is responsible to ensure business needs will be met during the absence and impact on the department is kept to a minimum. Things to ask your supervisor are: When is a good time to be away? Are there appointment times to avoid? Please be flexible and collaborative in working with your supervisor. Paid release time for this event is a privilege and is not a guaranteed benefit.
When talking with your supervisor, you should ask if you need to provide proof of attendance. If your supervisor requires proof, you can request a note at the appointment. HIPAA laws cover the screening, so the note will only confirm attendance and will not include any personal health details.
A mammogram is a simple test. When you go for a mammogram, the technician taking the picture will place your breast between two X-ray panels. The panels will push your breast between them to get a clear picture. You may feel a little bit of discomfort, but each X-ray takes less than one minute.
Yes, 3D mammograms (tomosynthesis mammogram) can be covered as preventive. 2D mammograms also are available. The patient will have the choice as to which type will be performed.
No, the preventive (non-diagnostic) screening mammograms are only for females. Mammograms for men would only be covered under the Purdue health plans if diagnostic, not preventive.
Upon completing registration papers at the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Breast Center, you will be asked to indicate a doctor that will receive your results. If a primary care physician is not identified, your results will be sent to the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.
Continue to get regular mammograms based on the US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.
If your mammogram is abnormal, do not panic. An abnormal mammogram does not always mean there is cancer. Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center or your physician will discuss next steps with you. You may be required to complete additional tests or exams which can generate a fee. Additionally, you may be referred to a breast specialist or a surgeon.
While all benefits-eligible employees are eligible for preventive screenings, the mammogram event is only for West Lafayette employees.
No, mammography screenings completed outside of the event or with your community physician are not considered part of this event. If you currently have a selected provider and get regular screenings we encourage you to continue with your provider.
Please record time as “Other Leave with Pay." You do not have to identify what the leave is for.
Yes, your paid release time is considered University business, so as long as you have your supervisor’s approval, you can use a University vehicle to get to your screening appointment.
We will continue to evaluate whether we see an increase in the number of employees who are getting their preventive screenings, which can lead to early detection of disease. Since the mammography screening campaign was introduced in 2015, Purdue’s screening rates for mammograms have increased from 39 percent in 2014 to 72 percent in 2022 and 2023. A 3 percent drop in screening rates was seen in 2020 (to 67 percent), which can be attributed to COVID-19. Our goal with the annual mammography campaign is to see the percentage of screening rates continue to increase year after year.