Where to Get Free and Low-Cost Mammograms
For lots of people, there’s a barrier to getting a mammogram that doesn’t get enough attention: they can be expensive.
And for people on Medicaid, access to mammograms is likely to get harder over the next few years. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” made cuts to Medicaid and changed the eligibility rules. Research suggests that Medicaid coverage losses could lead to more than 405,000 missed mammograms nationwide in 2027 and 2028.
If you’re concerned that you won’t be able to afford a mammogram, it’s important to know that help is available. There are health centers and programs in every state that provide free and low-cost mammograms to people who are uninsured, underinsured, or can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs.
Here’s what you need to know about how much mammograms can cost and how to find local programs that offer them at a more affordable price or for free.
How much does a mammogram cost?
Mammogram costs depend on several factors, like whether you’re getting a 2D mammogram or a 3D mammogram, why it’s being done (for screening or for diagnosis), and the facility where you’re getting it.
Cost of a mammogram with insurance
Most private and public insurance plans fully cover the cost of screening mammograms every one to two years for women 40 and older with no out-of-pocket cost. If you’re getting a mammogram and you’re under the age of 40 or it’s for a reason other than screening, you’re more likely to have out-of-pocket costs such as a co-pay, deductible, or co-insurance.
Your out-of-pocket cost for a mammogram that’s billed through your insurance could range from $100 to more than $1,000. (States have different laws about what insurance companies have to cover and what facilities can charge for mammograms. Check into whether your state has a law about what you can be charged.
Cost of a mammogram without insurance
If you’re paying for a mammogram without insurance (and without assistance from a program), the cost may range from about $200 to more than $1,000.
How can I get a free or low-cost mammogram?
If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs for a mammogram, it’s worth looking into programs in your area that can help people access mammograms for free or more affordably (for example, they may have sliding-scale fees). Many of these programs have eligibility requirements, which means that you may have to provide proof of financial need and health insurance coverage status. Here are some good ways to find one:
Look for a local program that is affiliated with the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. These programs provide free or low-cost mammograms to people who have low incomes, are uninsured or underinsured, and meet certain other eligibility requirements.
Contact a local Federally Qualified Health Center.
Reach out to your state or local health department.
Ask a hospital social worker or your doctor for help locating a program.
Search online using the keywords “free or low-cost mammogram” and the name of your town or state or search “free mammogram near me.”
Find a facility near you that’s affiliated with the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s mammography program.
Ask a local Planned Parenthood Center if they have a program or can help you find one.
Apply for assistance from the American Breast Cancer Foundation’s Breast Cancer Assistance Program.
Call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Call the American Cancer Society’s cancer information line at 1-800-227-2345.
Call the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s breast cancer helpline at 1-877-465-6636.
Contact your local YWCA chapter to see if they have an ENCOREplus program that helps underinsured and uninsured people access breast cancer screening.
Search for a mobile mammogram van program or event near you,
Do you need an order from a doctor to get a free or low-cost mammogram?
In some cases you may need to get an order (prescription) for a mammogram from a healthcare provider like your primary care doctor or gynecologist. Be sure to ask about this when you make your mammogram appointment. If you need help getting the order, the programs that offer free or low-cost mammograms can usually assist with that. In most cases, the healthcare provider who writes the order will also be the one who receives the results of your mammogram.
This content is made possible by Pfizer.