No-cost preventive screening mammograms 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 have increased from 39% in 2014 to 72% in 2023.

 “Following the slight decline in 2020, we are again seeing a consistent increase in the mammogram screening rates year after year,” said Candace Shaffer, associate vice president of benefits and payroll in Human Resources. “Our annual screening mammogram campaign reminds individuals that mammograms matter, and we hope this campaign will help us 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, 1701 S. Creasy Lane, Cancer Center Suite 200, Lafayette, during the following days and times:

• 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.

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 a location of the 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 2024 Healthy Boiler incentive as one of the optional incentive screenings in step 2. Therefore, those who get their mammogram screening — either through this campaign or at another time in 2024 — 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. 

*Screening campaign is available to females (employee and/or spouse) only.