Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
news@ yourdailyglobe.com
Ontonagon — Due to the closing of the Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, the Ontonagon County Cancer Association is no longer able to offer its free mammograms in the county, but Aspirus is still working with the association to assure women receive the service.
OCCA president Karen Bradley said that women 40 years and older can call 906-884-8160 to schedule a mammogram at any Aspirus facility of their choice.
She noted that if Ontonagon County residents have insurance it will be billed, but uninsured persons who receive a mammogram through Aspirus will be billed directly to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association.
Bradley also explained that those who choose to self-refer to an outside location other than Aspirus are asked to call 906-884-3000 for a reimbursement form. The OCCA will cover the uninsured cost of the mammogram, and the reciprocate will need to submit the bill to the OCCA for reimbursement.
“Because the association is committed to cancer prevention and awareness in our county, we are also offering a $50 reimbursement for travel expenses, regardless of your status,” Bradley said. Women can call the association at 906-884-3000 and leave a detailed message with name, address and phone number, and a reimbursement form for the $50 will be sent to them.
Persons eligible to receive the OCCA services must be 40 years of age and older and from Ontonagon County.
The mammogram appointment needs to be one year, plus one day, from the previous mammogram, and women have from Oct. 1 of this year until Aug, 31, 2025, to schedule a mammogram and submit a claim.
Bradley said the OCCA apologizes for the delay of a new mammogram plan.
“We want our community to know we have been working hard and consider all of our options to better serve our community,” she said. “The Ontonagon County Cancer Association urges all eligible county women to take advantage of this important screening test.”
Anyone with questions can call the association. Bradley reminded that this community service is made possible by donations raised by the OCCA and that “funds raised here, stay here.”