Virginia State-Level Resources (Mammograms & Pap Smears)
(Every Woman’s Life / Virginia Department of Health)
What is Every Woman’s Life (EWL)?
Every Woman’s Life (EWL) is Virginia’s public health program for free breast and cervical cancer screening for women who are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured.
What services are offered?
Through EWL, eligible women may receive:
Clinical breast exam
Yearly mammogram for those in the screening age group
Pelvic exam
Pap test, generally every other year for those in the screening age group
Diagnostic tests (follow-ups) if screening results are abnormal
Who qualifies for the program?
To be eligible for free screenings via EWL, you must meet all of the following criteria: Virginia Department of Health
Requirement | Details |
Age | 18-64 years old. However, for breast and cervical cancer screening (routine), the usual age range is 40-64 for breast, 21-64 for cervical. Women aged 18-39 may qualify if they have symptoms or are at high risk. |
Residence | Must live in Virginia. |
Insurance status | Must be uninsured. (Some underinsured may also qualify depending on local provider and what “underinsured” means in context.) |
Income level | Must meet the federal poverty income guidelines (for 2025, up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level). |
How to apply / make an appointment
Find a local EWL provider — There are screening sites all over Virginia. You can use the Virginia Health Department’s locator to find the nearest one by clicking here.
Call to get referred and make your appointment — EWL has a hotline: 1-866-EWL-4YOU (1-866-395-4968)
Fill out an application — Some providers require an application. For example, UVA’s “Every Woman’s Life” program has an application (English & Spanish), and can be submitted by mail, fax, or in person by clicking here.
What if I don’t qualify?
If you're not eligible for EWL, or need ongoing care beyond screening, some options include:
Ask the EWL hotline or your local health department for referral to other programs or clinics that provide low-cost or sliding scale services. More information can be found here.
If diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through an EWL provider, you may become eligible for Medicaid to help cover treatment costs.
Examples of providers / locations
UVA Health — Every Woman’s Life screening via UVA serves multiple counties including Charlottesville area. uvahealth.com
Sentara Health — Provides EWL screening through various Sentara clinics and facilities. Sentara
Valley Health — Clinics in Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, etc., participate in EWL. Valley Health
Summary
If you are a Virginia resident, uninsured, and your income is at or below ~250% of the poverty level, you likely qualify.
If you are 40-64, you can get routine mammograms; 21-64 for Pap tests. Under 40 only if high risk or symptomatic.
Call the EWL hotline (1-866-EWL-4YOU) or a local health department/clinic to find services near you.
Our support team is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 9 pm EST, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm EST. We can be reached via email at support@vitablehealth.com or (484) 416-0769.