Several federal and state programs cover the full cost of screening mammograms, even if you’re uninsured or underinsured. The path that works best for you depends on your age, income, and insurance status. Here’s how to find the right option.
If You Have Insurance: It’s Likely Already Free
Under the Affordable Care Act, all Marketplace health plans and most employer-sponsored plans must cover a screening mammogram every one to two years for women 40 and older with zero copay, zero coinsurance, and no deductible requirement. The key condition is that you use an in-network provider. If you go out of network, cost-sharing may apply.
Medicare Part B covers one screening mammogram every 12 months, and you pay nothing if your provider accepts Medicare assignment. There’s no copay and no deductible for the screening itself.
Before scheduling, call the number on the back of your insurance card and confirm that the imaging center you plan to visit is in network. This single step prevents nearly all surprise bills for routine screenings.
If You’re Uninsured: The CDC’s National Program
The CDC runs the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which funds free or low-cost mammograms through clinics in every state. You may qualify if you meet three criteria:
- No insurance, or insurance that doesn’t cover screening
- Household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (roughly $36,450 for a single person in 2024)
- Age 40 to 64 for breast cancer screening, though some local programs make exceptions for women slightly younger or older
Each state runs its own version of this program with its own name. To find yours, search “NBCCEDP” plus your state, or call the CDC at 1-800-232-4636. Once connected to your local program, a coordinator will verify your eligibility and schedule the appointment for you, often at a nearby clinic or hospital that partners with the program.
One major advantage of NBCCEDP: if your screening finds something abnormal, the program can also cover follow-up diagnostic tests like additional imaging or biopsies. That continuity of coverage matters, because an unexpected diagnostic bill is one of the biggest reasons people delay follow-up after an abnormal result.
Mobile Mammography Vans
Hospitals and cancer centers across the country operate mobile mammography vans that travel to community centers, churches, grocery store parking lots, and workplaces. These vans use the same digital mammography equipment found in permanent imaging centers, and many offer screenings at no cost for uninsured patients or bill your insurance directly with no out-of-pocket charge.
There’s no single national directory for mobile vans. The best way to find one is to call the largest hospital system in your area and ask if they run a mobile mammography program. Many post schedules on their websites with dates and neighborhood locations weeks in advance. Community health fairs and employer wellness events also frequently host these vans.
Nonprofit Helplines and Patient Navigators
If you’re not sure where to start, Susan G. Komen’s Breast Care Helpline (1-877-465-6636) connects you with a trained navigator who can help identify free or low-cost screening options in your area. This service is available regardless of income. Navigators can also provide emotional support if you’re anxious about testing, and help you locate financial assistance for diagnostic procedures if needed.
Planned Parenthood clinics in many states offer breast exams and can refer you to partner facilities for mammograms on a sliding-fee scale. Local chapters of the American Cancer Society can also point you toward screening events and assistance programs in your community.
What Happens if Your Screening Finds Something
A screening mammogram is the routine check. If it shows something that needs a closer look, you’ll be called back for a diagnostic mammogram, which uses more targeted images of a specific area. This distinction matters financially because screening and diagnostic mammograms are sometimes billed differently.
Under the ACA, most insurance plans cover the screening at no cost, but diagnostic mammograms have historically been subject to copays and deductibles in many states. That’s changing. Several states, including New York and Washington, now require insurers to cover all breast cancer diagnostic imaging, including diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs, with no cost-sharing. Check your state’s insurance regulations or call your insurer to find out what applies to you.
If you received your initial screening through the CDC’s NBCCEDP, the program is designed to cover the diagnostic workup as well. Your program coordinator can walk you through what’s covered and connect you with providers for any next steps.
Current Screening Recommendations
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women at average risk get a screening mammogram every two years starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This applies to cisgender women and all people assigned female at birth, including transgender men and nonbinary individuals.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, a known genetic mutation, or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting earlier or screening more frequently. Higher-risk individuals may also qualify for additional imaging like breast MRI, which some insurance plans and state programs cover at no cost.