Native Women's Wellness Program

Native Women's Wellness Program

The Native Women’s Wellness Program (NWWP) aims to reduce the burden of breast and cervical cancer among Native women by providing access to high-quality screening and diagnostic services. Our specific goals are:

  • To increase the number of Native women who receive regular breast and cervical cancer screenings.
  • To ensure timely follow-up and diagnosis for women with abnormal screening results.
  • To educate the community about cancer prevention and early detection.
  • To reduce cancer disparities among Native women by addressing social determinants of health.

Quick Links

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To be eligible, you must meet all three of the following requirements:

  • Be a woman between 21 and 64 years old
    • Be uninsured or underinsured
  • Have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level
  • Underinsured: You may be considered underinsured if your health plan does not cover cancer diagnostic procedures, or you can not afford the out-of-pocket costs for screening or follow-up imaging.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • How to Submit Your Form
  • You may return your completed form using any of the following methods:
    • Deliver to your Patient Navigator at your Tribal Health Clinic
    • Drop off in person at the SPIPA office
    • Scan and email to: hw@spipa.org
    • For questions or assistance, please contact your Patient Navigator or SPIPA directly.

Disclaimer: Certain women who are younger or older may qualify for screening services depending on risk or medical history.

Survey Description: Women enrolled in the NWWP may receive help with travel to breast and cervical cancer screening or diagnostic appointments—excluding mobile mammogram days at Tribal Health Clinics, where assistance is already provided. If you’re not enrolled, a Patient Navigator can help you apply.

HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES:

  • Contact your clinics patient navigator or the SPIPA NWWP Coordinator, (Vacant)

Screenings completed at outside facilities: If you receive breast and cervical cancer screening services outside of a Tribal health clinic and meet eligibility requirements, you may qualify for program services and reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs. Simply complete the enrollment form and provide your healthcare provider with a screening form to fill out during your appointment. Return the completed form to SPIPA and submit any related bills. If you are a Tribal clinic patient, your patient navigator can assist you with this process.

MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY INFORMATION:

Our program partners with Swedish Mobile Mammography and Assured Imaging to offer mobile mammography services at Tribal health clinics throughout the year. If you would like to receive your screening through one of these events, please contact your patient navigator to schedule an appointment. If you are already scheduled for a mobile mammography bus, you can complete your forms in advance.

NWWP Patient Navigator

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Clara Hernandez

Patient Navigator
Squaxin Island Health Clinic
360-427-9006

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Christina Hicks

Patient Navigator Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center
360-273-5504

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Tanya Brown

Patient Navigator Shoalwater Bay Wellness Center
360-267-8251

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Raylene McCloud

Patient Navigator Nisqually Tribal Health & Wellness Center
360-459-5312

NWWP Team

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Chandra VanPaepeghem

Quality Assurance Advisor

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Karla Miller

Data & Systems Coordinator

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Native Women’s Wellness Program Coordinator

Service Provider and Vendor Resources

Forms and resources to assist medical facilities and staff with screening documentation and billing processes.

Submit all screening and diagnostic forms to hw@spipa.org. For questions about forms or billing, please contact Karla Miller at the same address.

To process reimbursement for services rendered, we require screening results, HCFA form and EOB (if patient has primary). Reimbursement will be issued up to the allowable amount outlined in the fee schedule.

Contact List

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

Phone: (360) 273-5504

Nisqually Tribal Health & Wellness Center

4840 Journey Street, SE Olympia, WA 98513

Phone: (360) 459-5312

Shoalwater Bay Wellness Center

2373 Tokeland Rd, Tokeland, WA 98590

Phone: (360) 267-0119

Squaxin Island Health Clinic

90 SE Klah- Che-Man- Dr. Shelton, WA 98584

Phone: (360) 427-9006

The SPIPA NWWP is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal health information. Any information you submit through this website is handled in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and all applicable federal and Tribal privacy regulations. We use secure technologies and administrative safeguards to ensure that your data is transmitted and stored safely. Personal health information is only accessed by authorized personnel and is used solely for the purpose of supporting your care and program services. We do not share your identifiable information without your explicit consent unless required by law.

NWWP Events

FAQ

1. Eligibility & Enrollment

Who is eligible for the program?

To qualify, you must meet all three of the following:

  • Be a woman between 21 and 64 years old
  • Be uninsured or underinsured
  • Have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level

Underinsured means your plan doesn’t cover necessary cancer diagnostic procedures or the out-of-pocket costs make them unaffordable.

I’ve already had my screening, but I can’t afford the bill. What should I do?

If you weren’t enrolled before your screening, please complete the enrollment form now and contact Delia Culp. If you were eligible at the time of service, we may still be able to cover the cost.

I get my screenings at a non-Tribal clinic. Can I still enroll?

Yes! After enrolling, take the SPIPA screening form with you to your appointment and have your provider fill it out. Return the completed form and any related bills to SPIPA for reimbursement consideration.

2. Screening & Diagnostic Services

What does the program cover?

We cover:

  • Mammograms for women over 40 years old
  • Clinical breast exams
  • Pap tests & HPV testing for women over 30 years old
  • Diagnostic services (e.g., ultrasounds, MRIs, biopsies) when medically necessary

I’m under 30 but considered high risk for cervical cancer. Can I get an HPV test through the program?

Yes, if you’re high risk, HPV testing may be covered even if you’re under age 30.

I was told I’m at high risk for breast cancer. Now what?

If you are under the age of 40 and considered high risk, you may still qualify for coverage through our program. Your provider should order a screening MRI in addition to your mammogram.

IMy breasts are dense. Do I need more than a mammogram?

Possibly. If you have dense breast tissue, your provider may recommend additional imaging (such as an ultrasound or MRI) to get a clearer view. These may be covered if deemed medically necessary.

My radiology report says I may be at high risk for breast cancer, but my provider didn’t mention it. What now?

Tribal clinic providers use the Tyrer-Cuzick model, a validated tool to assess lifetime breast cancer risk. Family history alone doesn’t always mean more frequent imaging is needed. If you're unsure, ask your provider whether they assessed your risk—or contact SPIPA for help reviewing your situation.

3. Billing & Assistance

I had my appointment months ago and was enrolled, but I’m still receiving a bill. I’m worried about collections.

Please contact us immediately at hwbilling@spipa.org or call (360) 462-3259. We’ll contact your provider’s office directly to investigate. Sometimes only part of the service is eligible for reimbursement. If a balance remains, we’ll connect you to additional financial assistance resources.

I need help paying for travel to my screening. Can you help?

Yes! If you’re eligible and over age 21, you may receive up to $150 in gas assistance. Complete the Travel Assistance Survey to apply.

4. Still Have Questions?

Patients can contact SPIPA NWWP Billing (in place of Delia Culp) by calling 360.426.3990 or via email HWBilling@spipa.org to enroll but if they are already connected with one of the SPIPA NWWP participating clinics, patients would work directly with the Patient Navigator at the Tribal Clinics they are receiving services from to complete enrollment into NWWP.