EWC Program
The Every Woman Counts (EWC) Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services and treatment referrals to eligible uninsured and underinsured low-income California residents.
The mission of EWC is to save lives by preventing and reducing the devastating effects of breast and cervical cancer for Californians and eliminate health disparities with a special emphasis on providing care to the underserved population.
The EWC Program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services and is a part of the Benefits Division.
EWC is funded through a combination of state and federal resources, including support from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
EWC Eligibility Criteria
Age
EWC Program Covered Screening and Diagnostic Services:
- Cervical Screening and Diagnostic Services: age 21 or older
- Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services:
- Age 40 and older – patients at average risk for breast cancer
- Under age 40 – patients at high risk
- Breast Cancer Diagnostic Services
- Any age – patients with breast symptoms
Income
- Meet EWC Income Criteria
Insurance
- Have no or limited insurance
- Are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program
Residence
- Have a valid California address
Eligibility Period
A recipient is eligible for EWC for one year. This eligibility period does not change if the recipient transfers to another primary care provider (PCP). Re-enrollment or recertification can only occur annually, when a recipient’s one year recipient eligibility period ends.
Breast Cancer Awareness License Plate
California drivers can show their support for breast cancer screenings by ordering the Pink Ribbon license plate from the DMV website.