A screening mammogram without insurance typically costs between $150 and $300, depending on where you go and what type of imaging is used. Diagnostic mammograms, which take more images of the breast, average around $290. These prices can shift significantly based on whether you visit a hospital or an independent imaging center, whether you get 2D or 3D imaging, and your geographic location.
Screening vs. Diagnostic Mammogram Costs
There are two types of mammograms, and they come with different price tags. A screening mammogram is the routine exam recommended every two years for women ages 40 to 74. It’s a standard set of images designed to catch problems early when you have no symptoms. Without insurance, you can expect to pay roughly $150 to $250 for a screening mammogram.
A diagnostic mammogram costs more, averaging about $290, because it produces additional images of the breast. Your doctor orders one when something looks abnormal on a screening, or if you have symptoms like a lump or unusual pain. The procedure itself feels the same, but the extra imaging and the radiologist’s more detailed review drive the price up.
Where You Go Changes the Price
The single biggest factor in what you’ll pay is the type of facility. Hospital-based imaging departments charge substantially more than independent, freestanding imaging centers. Hospitals carry higher overhead costs: round-the-clock staffing, more administrative layers, and broader infrastructure. Those expenses get built into every bill. For some types of imaging, hospitals charge four to ten times what an independent center charges for the identical exam.
The gap for mammograms is narrower than that, but still meaningful. Hospital-based mammograms tend to run $20 to $40 more than the same exam at a standalone clinic. If you’re paying out of pocket, calling a few independent imaging centers in your area and asking for their self-pay or cash-pay rate is one of the simplest ways to lower your cost. Many facilities offer a discounted rate when you pay upfront without involving an insurer.
The Radiologist Fee You Might Not Expect
A mammogram bill often arrives in two parts: a facility fee for the equipment, room, and technologist who performs the exam, and a separate professional fee for the radiologist who reads and interprets your images. Some centers bundle these into one price, but others bill them separately.
The facility fee makes up the larger share, typically averaging around $100 to $105. The radiologist’s reading fee adds another $35 to $45 on top. When you call to ask about pricing, specifically ask whether the quote includes the radiologist interpretation. If it doesn’t, you could be surprised by a second bill weeks later. A bundled “all-in” cash price eliminates that risk.
3D Mammography Adds a Small Premium
Many imaging centers now offer 3D mammography (also called tomosynthesis), which takes multiple thin-slice images of the breast and can be better at detecting cancers, especially in women with dense breast tissue. When this technology first became widespread, facilities commonly charged a $45 out-of-pocket add-on fee for the 3D upgrade. Some centers have since dropped that extra charge to encourage more patients to use the improved technology, but others still tack it on.
If you’re paying without insurance and a center offers both 2D and 3D options, ask whether the 3D version costs extra. A $45 difference may be worth it for the improved detection, particularly if you’ve been told you have dense breasts.
Free and Low-Cost Mammogram Programs
Several programs exist specifically to help uninsured or underinsured women get mammograms at no cost. The largest is the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which funds free or low-cost breast cancer screenings (and follow-up diagnostic services) for women with low incomes who lack adequate insurance. The program operates through state and local partners across the country. You can find your state’s program through the CDC’s website or by calling your local health department.
Susan G. Komen’s Breast Care Helpline (1-877-465-6636) connects callers with navigators who can help identify local programs that offset screening costs. While Komen’s direct voucher program closed in late 2023, their navigators still help people find affordable options regardless of income level. They can also provide emotional support if you’re anxious about testing.
Beyond national programs, many hospitals and imaging centers run their own discounted screening events, particularly during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Community health centers funded by the federal government also offer mammograms on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Searching for “FQHC near me” (federally qualified health center) can point you toward one.
How to Get the Lowest Price
Start by calling two or three independent imaging centers and asking for their self-pay or cash-pay price for a screening mammogram, making sure the quote includes the radiologist reading fee. Prices vary enough that 15 minutes of phone calls can save you $50 to $100. If a center offers a payment plan, ask whether the total cost is the same or if financing adds fees.
If cost is a real barrier, contact your state’s CDC-funded screening program or call Komen’s helpline before skipping the exam altogether. Current guidelines recommend screening every two years starting at age 40, which means the long-term cost of staying current adds up. At $200 per screening, that’s roughly $100 a year averaged out. Finding even one free or subsidized screening every few cycles makes a real difference over time.