Benefit Notes

Benefit Notes
RICE NEWS OFFICE
March 12, 1998

Mammography Screening, PSA Testing

On Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19, Rice will sponsor mammography
screening and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing on campus for faculty
and staff in the GMI/PPO and the Aetna HMO health plans. Prudential HMO has
indicated it currently is unable to support this effort outside normal facilities.

The university has emphasized the inclusion of preventive care in all health
plans and encourages faculty and staff to use these benefits. Fliers and notices
will be distributed among departments on campus and will provide a telephone
number to call to arrange an appointment. Texas Mobile Health will take employees’
names and their physician’s name and schedule a convenient appointment time.
They will also coordinate with medical insurance carriers to verify eligibility
for these services. The results of the test will be forwarded to employees and
their physician for review and any follow-up action the doctor believes may
be necessary. Human Resources hopes the convenience of on-campus testing will
encourage more of the university community to participate.

Mammography is an X-ray exam of the breast to detect breast cancer in women.
The PSA test is intended to detect possible changes in the male prostate gland
as a sign of prostate cancer or other problems.

Present plans call for continuing this effort twice a year&emdash;once
in the spring and once in the fall&emdash;to permit employees to align exams
with their health care schedules.

Due to the coordination required of Texas Mobile Health with the medical insurance
carriers, appointments should be arranged as early as possible.