BCCTP: Resource Guide

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) implemented the new BCCTP program on January 1, 2002, as authorized by Assembly Bill 430 (Chapter 171, Statutes of 2001). BCCTP provides urgently needed cancer treatment coverage to individuals diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer, who require treatment and have met the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) screening criteria, or were screened by a CDC provider.

Applicant Eligibility
An eligible applicant must be a resident of California with an income that does not exceed 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, based on family size. Eligible applicants must be screened by a State-funded Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BCEDP), Federally-funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) or Family PACT screening provider and found to be in need of breast and/or cervical cancer treatment. Individuals may be eligible, even if they have other health coverage, as long as their premiums, copayments and deductibles are expected to exceed $750 annually.

Eligible applicants who appear to meet Federal requirements (female; under 65; citizen or national of the United States or satisfactory immigration status; no creditable health insurance; breast and/or cervical cancer diagnosis; in need of treatment) will receive full-scope, no-cost Medi-Cal coverage for the duration of their cancer treatment. Federally-eligible applicants are issued a Confirmation Document that grants immediate, temporary BCCTP eligibility, allowing them immediate access to services through any Medi-Cal provider.

Those applicants who do not meet Federal standards, but who have a breast and/or cervical cancer diagnosis, need treatment, and meet State-only BCCTP standards (male regardless of age; female over 65; male or female with unsatisfactory immigration status; or creditable health insurance over $750 annually), will receive services limited to cancer treatment for a specified time period (18 months for breast cancer and 24 months for cervical cancer). Those applicants not granted immediate coverage of breast and/or cervical cancer treatment will receive a Confirmation Document with the message "Application Accepted for Processing" and will be able to access breast and/or cervical cancer treatment services as soon as the DHCS Eligibility Specialist determines eligibility.

Enrolling Applicants
BCEDP, BCCCP and Family PACT providers are authorized to screen and enroll applicants into BCCTP. These providers enroll eligible applicants into BCCTP by using the new Internet-based application form. To access this form, providers should:

1. Go to www.medi-cal.ca.gov
2. Click on "Transaction Services"
3. Enter a valid provider number and PIN
4. Select the BCCTP icon

The BCCTP applicant helps the provider complete the Internet-based application. The application work sheet and required documents are available in 11 languages, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, Armenian, Cantonese, Korean, Russian, Farsi and Laotian.

After reviewing the information with the applicant, the provider enters the information into the Internet-based application form and electronically submits the application to DHCS. The provider will then receive a Confirmation Document,  which indicates eligibility status. A copy must be given to the applicant. If the Confirmation Document indicates eligibility, the applicant may use the Confirmation Document for immediate access to medical services until the applicant receives a Benefits Identification Card (BIC). The enrolling provider will then mail the application and the Rights and Responsibilities form, each with the applicant's original signature, to DHCS.

DHCS Eligibility Specialists review each Internet-based application form to complete the determination of BCCTP eligibility. The specialist may require additional information from the applicant to determine eligibility.

BCEDP, BCCCP and Family PACT providers willing to be BCCTP enrolling providers, and complete the Internet-based application for other providers, should call 1-800-824-0088. Please leave your name, address and phone number with an DHCS Eligibility Specialist to be placed on the BCCTP referral list. When a non-enrolling provider or an applicant calls needing to locate an enrolling provider, he/she will be referred to an enrolling BCCCP, BCEDP or Family PACT provider.

For providers who are not an authorized, enrolling BCCTP provider, please refer the patient to an authorized, enrolling provider. For referrals to authorized, enrolling BCCTP providers, please call BCCTP at 1-800-824-0088.

More Information
Providers and applicants seeking information about the program should review the Resource Guide.