For one Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan member in San Diego, getting a mammogram wasn't about knowing she needed one. It was about finding the time.
She had postponed the screening for years because she couldn’t afford to miss work during the week. When she learned Blue Shield Promise was offering a mobile mammogram event on a Saturday near her home, she scheduled an appointment immediately.
After her screening, she thanked the team: “This is a great thing you have going on. You’re giving people like me, who can’t take off work, the chance to take care of our health.”
Her experience illustrates why making preventive care more convenient matters.
In the United States, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and an estimated 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. Still, breast cancer death rates have declined 44% since 1989, due in large part to advances in mammography and treatment.
“We’ve made tremendous progress in reducing breast cancer deaths, but screening remains a critical part of that success,” said Dr. Jennifer Nuovo, chief medical officer at Blue Shield Promise. “Early detection through regular screening remains one of the most powerful ways to reduce the impact of breast cancer and help ensure women receive care at the earliest, most treatable stage. That’s why getting regular mammograms is so important.”
Making screening more accessible
Blue Shield Promise is bringing preventive care and screenings directly into communities through mobile mammogram events and combined well-child and mammogram events. Beginning this year, the health plan is also offering colorectal cancer screening kits at these events. Many are offered during evenings and weekends to better meet members’ schedules.
By the end of 2026, Blue Shield Promise expects to have hosted more than 46 mobile mammogram events this year, serving approximately 1,100 members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Since the program began, the health plan has hosted 163 community mammogram events and screened more than 3,098 members.
Blue Shield Promise expanded the program in 2025 to combine well-child visits and mammograms, allowing families to address multiple preventive health needs in one visit. After launching seven combined events at the end of 2025, the program is on track to host 31 by the end of 2026.
Children can complete well-child visits while parents receive mammograms, with childcare available on-site. Before each event, Blue Shield Promise representatives contact eligible members living within a five-mile radius to help schedule appointments.
Helping members get follow-up care
Support doesn't end with the screening. For members who receive abnormal mammogram results, Blue Shield Promise care teams reach out to help them understand their results and schedule needed diagnostic imaging, provider visits, or biopsies.
“We recognize that navigating the healthcare system can be challenging, especially when members receive unexpected screening results,” said Amanda Ruiz, program manager at Blue Shield Promise. “This enhanced outreach helps ensure members understand their next steps and get the follow-up care they need as quickly as possible.”
This hands-on support can also help reconnect members with care. At a recent mammogram event at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in South Los Angeles, a member shared that she had not seen a primary care physician in years. Blue Shield Promise staff helped arrange a same-day virtual visit and connected her with follow-up care.
Expanding preventive screenings
Blue Shield Promise is also using mammogram events to help members catch up on other recommended screenings.
Beginning in September, the health plan started identifying members due for colorectal cancer screenings and distributing at-home testing kits. Members can complete the screening privately at home and return the kit by mail.
Together, these efforts are helping members stay up to date on preventive care and improving health outcomes: Blue Shield Promise earned a 4 out of 5 stars rating in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Medicaid Health Plan Ratings for 2026 for the third consecutive year.
These initiatives reflect Blue Shield Promise's broader commitment to prevention and population health. By making screenings more accessible, reducing barriers to care, and helping members navigate follow-up care, the health plan is working to identify health concerns early, improve health outcomes, and keep members healthy at every stage of life.
Read related story: Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 5 Ways to Take Charge of Your Breast Health | Blue Shield of California | News Center
Learn more about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan here, and breast cancer screenings here.