A client came into one of TRI-CAP’s health clinics for her yearly checkup and pap smear. She had private insurance through her employer, so it was billed as a preventative visit. She was also due to have a mammogram due to her age. After her appointment, she asked about the services she had received that day and if it would be covered by her insurance. Our Clinic Office Coordinator told her that most insurance companies will pay for one visit per year. We also gave the client a couple of resources where she could obtain a mammogram, including the Deaconess Mobile Breast Center that comes to TRI-CAP two times per year.
This client’s private insurance denied her mammogram claim that was performed through another provider and again asked TRI-CAP if we could help her. After talking with other programs, we were able to get the bill paid for through the Susan G. Komen funds.
The client was so relieved and very happy we were able to help her take care of this!
A Family Planning client had a routine clinical breast exam at one of our clinics. She was due for a mammogram so we referred her to Deaconess Mobile Mammography. TRI-CAP has a partnership with Deaconess to bring their Mammography RV to our Jasper office twice a year. She got her mammogram from Deaconess who waived the fee because they have a grant from Susan G. Komen. Unfortunately, her mammogram came back as possible cancer. Deaconess did further testing, also at no cost. She’s currently being monitored for six months but we are optimistic about her health.
She is an example of why TRI-CAP cares so much about our clients – every woman deserves quality annual exams to assure possible cancer and other issues are detected early and at an affordable price.
One of our Family Planning clinics recently had a young lady come in requesting birth control to help her with problems she’s experiencing during her monthly cycles. Clinic staff worked together to assess her symptoms and get her started on something that better met her health needs. She left the clinic knowing TRI-CAP Family Planning staff took the time to really listen to her, which gave her hope for better health.
A 14-year-old young lady visited the clinic for an initial exam accompanied by her mother. The mother and daughter had a close relationship and the daughter felt comfortable talking to her mother about sex. The mother stated that her daughter was already on pills but had run out because she did not have the funds to purchase the generic pills. She was excited to learn that she could bring her daughter to TRI-CAP’s Family Planning services to get an examination, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and eventually obtain a year’s supply of birth control pills at no cost based on their income.
This is a success story that resembles many of our clients. However, what was more important was the great learning opportunity for both mother and daughter. In formulating a reproductive health plan and the teen assessment, it was clear that this young lady had goals and wanted to be at least 25 years old before becoming pregnant. We counseled this young lady about the importance of abstinence being the only 100% way to prevent pregnancy and STIs. In the event she still chose to be sexually active, she was counseled on the acronym “ABC: Abstinence, Be faithful, and use Condoms.” She and mom both learned how you can contract herpes and HPV even if condoms are used 100% of the time. Mom left the clinic very happy that someone had spent time counseling her daughter as we had done. It was evident that this was a learning moment for both.
This success story is told by one of TRI-CAP’s Family Planning clients:
I couldn’t afford to see a gynecologist annually, along with paying for birth control. Being a full-time college student and working several part-time jobs meant that I didn’t have certain health coverage. I’ve been using TRI-CAP’s Family Planning services for a little over 10 years in order to prevent unseen obstacles that could shatter my dreams, goals, or future plans.
After going to TRI-CAP’s Family Planning office for my annual exam, I received a letter in the mail stating to call the office as soon as possible regarding my pap smear results. I called TRI-CAP and they informed me that my pap smear results were abnormal. They gave me a list of gynecologists to choose from and once I selected the doctor I wanted, TRI-CAP scheduled a follow up appointment with them. TRI-CAP sent all my information to the gynecologist I selected. After seeing the gynecologist TRI-CAP referred me to, the doctor told me that I had LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) which is a form of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). I heard commercials about HPV and the vaccine, but I never got the vaccine because of the high cost. The gynecologist told me my LSIL had developed into pre-cancerous cells.
Two months later, I had LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) surgery. The doctor was able to remove all the pre-cancerous cells.
The weight was lifted off my shoulders! The doctor advised, that for three years after my surgery, I would need to routinely go see the gynecologist at least every six months; however, I was able to use TRI-CAP’s services to receive discounted birth control. I just had my second after-surgery visit and everything is going well!
I thank TRI-CAP every day for their services, volunteers, and programs. Without an exceptional facility and staff, I wouldn’t be in the great health that I am today. Thank you, TRI-CAP!!!!