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Mammogram Cost

How Much Does a Mammogram Cost?

low cost With Insurance coverage: No Charge or Copay
low cost Without Insurance: $80-$212

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A mammogram is a breast X-ray used for early detection of breast cancer. It is recommended yearly starting at age 40. A clinical breast examination, in which a doctor or nurse examines the breast for lumps or irregularities, is recommended once every three years starting at age 20, then once a year at age 40 and up.
 
Typical costs:
  • For an uninsured patient, typical full-price cost of a mammogram ranges from $80 to $120 or more, with an average of about $102, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Some providers charge more, and some offer an uninsured discount. For example, at the Kapiolani Medical Center in Aiea, Hawaii, where the full price is about $212, an uninsured patient would pay about $127 to $148.
  • Mammograms usually are covered by health insurance for women in the recommended age bracket. Many states require health insurance companies to cover regular mammograms, usually after age 40. The National Women's Law Center offers a state-by-state chart.
  • For women covered by health insurance, some plans require no out-of-pocket expenses, while others charge a copay, generally between $10 and $35.
  • A clinical breast exam is much less expensive, and usually is included as part of a general or gynecological check-up.
What should be included:
  • The mammogram technician places the breast between two plastic plates, which compress the breast tissue so a clear X-ray can be taken. The procedure takes about 20 minutes.
  • The American Cancer Society offers a primer on early detection of breast cancer. Only two to four of every 1,000 women who undergo a mammogram end up receiving a diagnosis of cancer.
  • In a clinical breast exam, the doctor or nurse manually checks the breasts, lymph nodes and nipples for any palpable irregularities.
Additional costs:
  • Women at high risk for breast cancer, such as those with a known breast cancer gene mutation, should consider getting an MRI each year in addition to a mammogram, according to the American Cancer Society.
  • If an irregularity is found, more testing or follow-up testing might be required. About 10 percent of women who have a mammogram require more tests, usually just another mammogram. However, about 8 to 10 percent do require a biopsy.
Discounts:
  • During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some community or women's groups offer free or very low-cost mammograms, sometimes using a mobile clinic. To find a program, call the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Care Helpline at 1-800 I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9273). Or contact the YWCA's ENCOREplus program any time for a referral for a free or low-cost mammogram.
  • Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to find a program in your area that offers low-cost or free mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women who qualify.
Shopping for a mammogram:
  • If you have health insurance, consult with your general practitioner or gynecologist to get a mammogram and/or a clinical breast exam.
  • Otherwise, check with your local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate to get more information on planned screening events. Or, call your local health department or use the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.'s online search feature to find a local clinic.
  • For mammorgrams, the American Cancer Society recommends using a facility that performs many mammograms each day, and is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to perform mammograms.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated March 2008
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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mammogram
Amount: $55.00
Posted by: susi in allen, TX.Posted: December 10th, 2010 05:12AM
Clinic or Doctor: viterbo italyInsurance Carrier: none
Type of Policy: none
i recently had a mammogram and ultra sound in italy for $55 dollars while on a trip. great doctors, great prices, no wait. the ama is lying about medical care in europe- it is fantastic and cheap sinece it is they have both public/private systems(only foreigners use private) because the public services are so good. mine was at a private clinic.
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mammogram
Amount: $438.00
Posted by: Bewildered by UHC in AK in Anchorage, AK.Posted: January 19th, 2011 09:01PM
Clinic or Doctor: Providence ImagingInsurance Carrier: United health care
Type of Policy: PPO
My insurance (United Health Care) does not cover screening mammograms if you "choose" a provider who is out of network. And United Health care does not have a network in Alaska! So I paid the full price, and found out I had early stage breast cancer. I hope that all women will find a way to get this done. Do your research, look for places that might offer a discount or even free if you don't have the money. Don't let the hassle and frustration over cost make mammograms something you avoid, they can save your life!
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mammogram
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: KT1977 in Las Vegas, NM.Posted: February 17th, 2011 05:02PM
Clinic or Doctor: SF Imaging ClinicInsurance Carrier: none
Type of Policy: none
Out of pocket. Recommended by my PCP, because she knew I didn't have insurance. Had to drive 1 hour to Santa Fe, but $100 less than local hospital. Worth the trip!
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Pay the Money! Save Your Life
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Cancer Survivor in Irvine, CA.Posted: February 18th, 2011 08:02PM
Clinic or Doctor: n/aInsurance Carrier: n/a
Type of Policy: PPO
October 2010 they found cancer in my right breast during a diagnostic screening, it was small in size but a deadly spreading sort caught very early. I had insurance then but do not this year for follow up testing. I, nor you, should be playing Russian Roulette with breast cancer because of the costs. I skipped a year of yearly mammos and on the second year they found breast cancer. It is not anything to take lightly or place money first. Catch it early, pay for the tests, and be happy that it was nothing if you are so lucky. It is worth every hard earned penny to be tested. I have also had kidney cancer, again found very early and the most lethal of the urological cancers. Get tested at all costs. This year I will be paying dearly, and praying dearly, that cancer is not found. Insurance companies and health services are maddening, but I will take the hassle they bring over the reality of a cancer to fight.
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diagnostic mammogram, won't quote a price
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: joanM in milwaukee, WI.Posted: March 28th, 2011 08:03AM
Clinic or Doctor: Columbia St. Mary'sInsurance Carrier: Assurant
Type of Policy: family/individual
I've a $10,000 deductible so I tried to get a price on a DIAGNOSTIC mammogram for calcifcations. Columbia, which I've used before, Froedtert, and Aurora all refused to quote a price except for the procedure itself--they absolutely won't quote on the radiologist's or other fees. No way to check if the $684 I was quoted is a real number or if the woman in pricing just made it up on the spot. Yeah, Republicans and their "consumer driven" health care. @@ The patient advocacy ctr. that contracts with Assurant told me many women with high deductibles just lie and say they have no insurance so they can get a solid price.
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mammograms and calcifications
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: effie in Bronx, NY.Posted: March 31st, 2011 05:03AM
Clinic or Doctor: Doctor/HospitalInsurance Carrier: Medicare
Type of Policy: Medicare
My mammogram indicated I have breast calcifications in both breasts and the doctor said I required a biospy, which I had in the right breast, but no cancer was found. The procedure left a big scar. I am appalled that my doctor didn't tell me before the biopsy that having it could result in scar tissue would which require mammograms every six months, and my cancer risk has increased now because of the biopsy. The doctor wanted to biopsy my other breast and I refused so now she is mad, and I will not go for any more mammograms since I am 82 years old. These doctors should be ashamed of themselves for not telling the patient the whole story about these procedures because they want to make more money.
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Mammograms regular yearly
Amount: $232.00
Posted by: yy in Duluth, GA.Posted: April 7th, 2011 12:04PM
Clinic or Doctor: Northside Hospital GAInsurance Carrier: Blue cross
Type of Policy: ppo
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Feel tricked and cheated!!!
Amount: $776.00
Posted by: a user in Cumming, GA.Posted: May 20th, 2011 09:05AM
Clinic or Doctor: Northside Hosp GAInsurance Carrier: United Healthcare
Type of Policy: PPO
Went for a yearly Gyno visit and doctor said I was due for mommorgram. Noted I had slight soreness in left breast so she wrote for a 'diagnostic" mam. instead of a "screening" mam. Screening is free but apparently diagnostic costs $776! Thank goodness no cancer but feel completely hoodwinked and cheated. Put off getting a mammo because I did't have any money for copay. This year though my 100% coverage for yearly screening would be a great time for mammo. Guess I am just another uneduacted consumer. Follow up in 6 months? Not likely.
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stamford hospital in Ct charge $800 for mamogram
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: LuzMery Pelaez in stamford, CT.Posted: August 27th, 2011 07:08AM
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HAVE TO PAY CO PAY OF 400.00 MAMMOGRAM
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: a user in STAMFORD, CT.Posted: September 6th, 2011 11:09AM
Clinic or Doctor: STAMFORD HOSPITA'Insurance Carrier: CIGNA
i THINK IT SHOULD BE A PREVENTATIVE WITHOUT PAYING THE 400.00 DEDUCTIBLE
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ROUTINE SCREENING MAMMO
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Pam Vernon in HIGH POINT, NC.Posted: September 9th, 2011 05:09AM
Clinic or Doctor: PREMIER IMAGING LLCInsurance Carrier: UMR
Type of Policy: PPO
I had my annual MAMMO and I paid absolutely NOTHING!!!! I had a greaaaaat experience and will be going back there each year.
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annual screening
Amount: $128.00
Posted by: Donna Elliott in wilmington, DE.Posted: December 7th, 2011 09:12AM
Clinic or Doctor: Brandywine ImagingInsurance Carrier: BCBS Regence
Type of Policy: ppo
Have been going there for 11 years for annual screening never paid anything because ins. covered 100% screening. This year was in and out faster than ever and got a bill for an additional view coded as a medical mammo in addition to the annual screening so not part of the 100% a doc never ordered this and all was normal they say the tech must have thought it was needed, so i asked if i will need to stop a tech after 4 images so i will not have to pay for additional mammo going forward she said "well if you are comfortable with that"..something is so wrong here.
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Mammogram
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Karen Russo in Marlboro, NJ.Posted: January 20th, 2012 08:01AM
Clinic or Doctor: Freehold RadiologyInsurance Carrier: Horizon Blue Cross of NJ
Type of Policy: Direct Access HSA
Spent an hour on the phone with gyno, radiologist and ins. co. Went in for a routine gyno exam, and doctor felt a fibrocystic area on left breast. So he wrote RX for a routine mammo and a diagnostic ultrasound just to be safe. I am entitled to one routine mammo per year under my insurance, but I am not sure if it will be covered because gyno wrote routine and a diagnostic code. Very frustrating as I could not get an answer from insurance carrier. Told me it would be paid depending upon how the radiologist billed the claim!!!???
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Annual Breast Exam
Amount: $95.00
Posted by: a user in Boulder, CO.Posted: February 11th, 2012 01:02PM
Clinic or Doctor: Alpine Surgical LLCInsurance Carrier: United Healthcare
Type of Policy: Golden Rule HSA
The routine breast exam pre calendar year listed as a benefit in my policy as a benefit is bulshit.
They lied and told me diferent stupid lies. In 2010 this exam was covered, this year they ask me to pay. I canceled my insurance. I wouldn't go to Alpine Surgical ever again.
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New insurance laws affect costs to patient
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: BreastImager in Ann arbor, MI.Posted: February 16th, 2012 06:02PM
Type of Policy: Bcbs
Much of the info posted on this site is based on an individuals view of the system--from the outside. These billing issues are very complicated and constantly changing.
Bottom line: if you tell your doctor or technologist that you have a breast complaint, if you are recent breast cancer patient or you had previous abnormal mammo recommending follow up, then you are DIAGNOSTIC and copays and deductibles apply. If you are asymptomatic and have no recent surgery or abnormality on mammo then you can be a SCREENING which under obamacare is a covered preventative service. The imaging center and the radiologist get paid nearly the same for each type of exam regardless. Unfortunately, due to this artificially created distinction between exam types, the patient feels a huge difference as the preventive exam is "free" to you. If everyone voiced their opinion to their politicians we could maybe get this changed. This is going to get worse with the new government task force recommendations.
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Preventive Mammogramm
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Happy Patient in Washington DC, DC.Posted: February 22nd, 2012 07:02AM
Clinic or Doctor: Georgetown University HospitalInsurance Carrier: Golden Rule UHC Choice Plus
Type of Policy: dont know
I had 2 mammograms done, one preventive, another diagnostic, because the first one showed a shadow and they needed to take another look (which turned out to be nothing). The network provider negotiated cost was around $100 per each procedure, which I would have no problem paying, but Golden Rule has a new policy that BOTH preventive and diagnostic mammos are covered no deductible, so I ended up paying zero. Very happy so far with my insurance. They also pay for breast ultrasound with no deductible.
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UHC Mammogram - Not a Covered Benefit, as stated in their policy
Amount: $95.00
Posted by: a user UHC in Boulder, CO.Posted: March 7th, 2012 06:03PM
Clinic or Doctor: Boulder, ColoradoInsurance Carrier: Golden Rule
Type of Policy: UHC One
After I went for my routine annual mammogram, which was supposed to be covered by my insurance,as stated under the section 8:covered benefits of my policy, I got a bill. From the isurace I was told that it was reported as a doctors visit,a disease problem etc. \\r\\nAs I specifically requested, before I schedule my appointment that I would like to have my annual breast exam, the doctors office reported it as a disease problem. And when I called the doctors office, the medical assisstant told me they reported it as usual. The medical assistant promissed she will call my insurance to confirm it was annual breast exam so I could have it covered. From the insurance: she\\\'s been told that I was charged because I didnt meet my deductable, and the previous year I had it covered because I had met my deductable. (This is not true because I went to a doctor only once in 2010 - for the mammogram, and I had it covered). In the policy its is stated that I can have one routine or diagnostic mammogram per calendar year as a covered benefit and does not go against the deductible.\\r\\nIn 2012, in the difficult times, it isn\\\'t. (Why am I surprised? My fault). \\r\\nI went to Europe and had everithing done perfect for about 30 dollars, no problems, no unexpected bills. \\r\\nI didnt have the mammogram done in Boulder Community Hospital(a hospital from the UHC network), when I found out that I will be charged for the doctors visit, as I suspected they won\\\'t cover it. And I was right. I ended up paying only the repriced amount of $95 for the doctors visit. So I had the job done in EU. :)))
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Mammogram Rip Off in Kirkland, WA
Amount: $740.00
Posted by: Disgusted patient in seattle, WA.Posted: March 8th, 2012 02:03PM
Clinic or Doctor: Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WAInsurance Carrier: None
It was shocking to see two bills totaled $740.00 for a diagnostic mammogrạm. I wonder if there might be a conspiracy to rip patients off? I do not like Evergreen Hospital anymore, they are way too expensive!

Buyers beware of this
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UHC Golden Rule
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: DC customer in Washington, DC.Posted: March 21st, 2012 08:03AM
Clinic or Doctor: GT University HospitalInsurance Carrier: Golden Rule UHC
Type of Policy: Choice Plus
This is just to comment on the post from a user in Boulder, CO. I live in Washington, DC and UHC Golden Rule clearly confirmed to me that annual AND diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds are covered, no deductible applies (and they paid all my annual screenings and diagnostics for breast mammogram). Not sure why in CO they have a different coverage, probably, it\'s due to different consumer regulations in your state, or you may had used a non-network provider. However, if you go to any EU country, the cost of mammogram can not be less than EUR 150, which is still much more than $90 repriced amount of the Golden Rule network providers. I lived in Germany for a long time, and know their prices quite well. Therefore, the $90 negotiated network provider cost for mammogram from Golden Rule is a great deal, by any standards.
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Cost of Mammogram
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: concerned in north, MS.Posted: May 10th, 2012 12:05PM
I found a lump and my doc says I need a Diagnostic....I currently don't have insurance. She says "she doesn't like the feel of the edges". But looking at these posts I'm concerned that I won't be able to pay to have it done. Maybe I shouldn't have it done.
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Cost of Mammogram in Burlington VT
Amount: $598.77
Posted by: BarbaraVermont in Burlington, VT.Posted: May 15th, 2012 01:05PM
Clinic or Doctor: FletcherAllenInsurance Carrier: BCBS
Type of Policy: PPO
Total cost was $598.77 for hospital and physicians fee. My share was 119.75. I am going to check other centers, this is ridiculous for the ins carrier and me to pay this kind of money. Articles on internet state average costs about $250, Where?
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