Mammogram Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

A mammogram is an X-ray imaging exam of the breast. The price you see on a bill depends on how you pay: through insurance, with cash at the facility's self-pay rate, or through a low-cost or free program. The same exam can carry very different prices across those routes.

Another source of confusion is the type of exam. Standard 2D and 3D (tomosynthesis) mammograms are priced differently, and a screening exam may be billed differently from a diagnostic one. If you are unsure which applies to you, ask the facility before you book.

For people paying out of pocket, the range is wide. Breastcancer.org puts self-pay prices at about $200 to $1,000 or more. The top of that range is not a ceiling: some facilities charge above it, particularly hospital outpatient departments.

The more specific averages below help narrow the range.

• 2D mammogram: about $400 as a national average cash price, per GoodRx.
• 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis): about $650 on average out of pocket, per GoodRx.

Those are averages. Your local price could be lower or higher, and the only way to know is to ask.

Insurance changes what you pay, but it does not always bring the cost to zero. According to Breastcancer.org, out-of-pocket costs when billed through insurance run from $100 up to $1,000 or more, depending on the plan and the situation.

Several factors can shape that bill:

• Plan coverage. Many plans cover certain exams, but what applies to you depends on your plan. Call your insurer and ask how your plan covers the type of exam you need.
• Screening or diagnostic. These are often billed differently, and cost-sharing rules may differ. Ask how the facility will code your visit.
• Deductible and coinsurance. If a charge applies before coverage kicks in, you may owe part of the cost.
• In-network or out-of-network. Going out of network can raise your share.
• 3D add-ons. Some plans handle 3D exams differently from 2D, so confirm before the appointment.

Ask for a cost estimate from both your insurer and the facility. Neither can guarantee the final amount, but both can give you a clearer picture.

The sources above are not measuring the same thing. One reports a broad self-pay range, and the other an average cash price. Other reasons prices diverge include:

• Facility type. A hospital, an independent imaging center and a mobile screening unit may all price differently.
• Exam type. 2D, 3D and diagnostic exams are billed separately.
• Location. Prices may be higher in some metro areas than others.
• Bundled services. A radiologist's reading fee is sometimes billed separately from the facility fee. Ask whether the quote is for everything.
• Self-pay discounts. Some facilities offer a lower cash rate than the amount billed to insurers.

If cost is a barrier, look into programs that reduce or remove the charge. Options include:

• Community health centers. Many use sliding-scale fees based on income.
• State and local programs. Some health departments run screening programs for people who meet eligibility rules.
• Nonprofit organizations and mobile units. Some offer free or reduced-price exams at events.
• The CDC's program. The CDC runs a national breast and cervical cancer early detection program. You can learn more at cdc.gov.

Eligibility rules vary, so contact the program directly. Breastcancer.org also maintains a list of free and low-cost options.

• Ask the facility for its self-pay or cash price before you book. Prices can differ a lot from one place to the next.
• Compare an independent imaging center with a hospital. The same exam may cost less at one of them.
• Ask whether a discount applies for paying in full on the day.
• If you receive a bill you cannot pay, ask about a payment plan or financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals generally have assistance policies.
• Review the bill for errors, and ask for an itemized version.

• Is this a screening or diagnostic exam?
• Is it 2D or 3D, and does the price differ?
• Does the quote include the radiologist's reading?
• What is the self-pay price?
• Will I receive a separate bill from another provider?

Decisions about whether, when and how often to get screened are for you and your doctor. Do not rely on a price guide for that.