A standard screening mammogram typically costs between $139 and $360 out of pocket, depending on whether you get a 2D or 3D image and what type of insurance you have. But most women with insurance pay nothing at all, because federal law requires coverage of screening mammograms with no copay or deductible.
What a Mammogram Costs Without Insurance
If you’re paying entirely out of pocket, the price depends on the type of mammogram and where you go. Data from a national cost analysis published in BMJ Open found that 2D mammograms have a median cost of around $139 through Medicare Advantage plans, while 3D mammograms billed through commercial rates run closer to $360. The gap between 2D and 3D imaging is roughly $56 to $108, so upgrading to the newer technology adds a meaningful but not enormous amount to the bill.
Prices also vary significantly by facility. Hospital-based imaging centers tend to charge more than standalone radiology clinics. If you’re uninsured, it’s worth calling ahead and asking for the self-pay or cash-pay price, which is often lower than the sticker rate posted online. Many facilities offer a discount of 20% to 40% for patients who pay at the time of service.
Why Screening and Diagnostic Mammograms Cost Different Amounts
A screening mammogram is a routine check done when you have no symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram is ordered when something needs a closer look, either because a screening found something unusual or because you have a lump, pain, or other breast changes. Diagnostic mammograms cost more because they involve additional images and often require a radiologist to review them in real time.
The bigger cost difference shows up if you’re called back for follow-up testing after an abnormal result. That recall process can include additional mammography views, an ultrasound, an MRI, or a biopsy. The median cost of these follow-up workups ranges from $206 to $524, depending on which tests are needed and what insurance you carry. Commercial insurance recall costs run $237 to $298 higher than Medicare Advantage recall costs for the same set of tests. So the initial mammogram is only part of the picture if something looks abnormal.
What Insurance Covers
Under the Affordable Care Act, all Marketplace health plans and most other private plans must cover screening mammograms for women 40 and older every one to two years with zero cost-sharing. That means no copay, no coinsurance, and no deductible requirement. This applies even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible yet.
There’s an important distinction, though. This free coverage only applies to screening mammograms. If your doctor orders a diagnostic mammogram because of symptoms or a previous abnormal finding, your plan can charge you a copay or apply the cost to your deductible. Some states have passed laws closing this gap, but in many states, diagnostic mammograms are still billed as standard medical claims.
3D Mammogram Coverage
3D mammography (also called tomosynthesis) is now widely used, but not every insurance plan covers it at the same zero-cost level as a standard 2D screening. Several states have stepped in with laws requiring full coverage. Arkansas, New Jersey, and Washington state all prohibit insurers from charging a copay or deductible for 3D screening mammograms. Washington, D.C. has a similar rule. If you live outside these states, check with your insurer before scheduling to find out whether you’ll owe an extra charge for the 3D upgrade.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part B covers mammograms at three stages. Women between 35 and 39 are eligible for one baseline mammogram. Starting at 40, you can get a screening mammogram every 12 months. In both cases, you pay nothing as long as your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
Diagnostic mammograms are also covered when medically necessary, and there’s no limit on frequency. The cost structure is different, though: after you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, that 20% may be partially or fully covered depending on your specific policy.
Free and Low-Cost Options
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, several programs can cover the full cost of a mammogram. The largest is the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which operates in all 50 states. You may qualify if you meet three criteria: you’re between 40 and 64, your income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (about $37,650 for an individual in 2024), and you either have no insurance or your plan doesn’t cover screening.
Other organizations that offer free mammograms include local chapters of the YWCA and affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Many hospitals and imaging centers also hold free screening events during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Planned Parenthood locations can often connect you with low-cost screening resources in your area, even if they don’t perform mammograms on-site.
How to Reduce Your Costs
The single most important thing you can do is confirm with your insurance company that your mammogram will be coded as a screening, not a diagnostic exam, before you go. A screening mammogram is free under most plans. A diagnostic one can cost you hundreds of dollars. If your doctor is ordering the mammogram as part of a routine checkup and you have no symptoms, it should be coded as preventive.
If you’re called back for follow-up imaging, ask the facility about costs upfront. Recall workups can vary widely in price, and you may have options for where to get an ultrasound or biopsy. Freestanding imaging centers are often significantly cheaper than hospital-affiliated ones for the same procedure. If cost is a barrier, let your doctor’s office know. They can often steer you toward the most affordable facility or connect you with financial assistance programs that cover diagnostic testing as well.