Wendy Elvis, 633rd Surgical Operations Squadron lead mammography technician, demonstrates the use of a mammogram machine with Melissa McRae, 633rd Surgical Operations Squadron command secretary, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 17, 2016. Mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 and those whose family has a history of breast cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Teresa J. Cleveland)
Mammogram cost varies by facility & location. On average the in-network patients pay about $75-250 per Mammogram scan nationwide. The cost varies by facility, location, and type of insurance.
For women of age 40 or above insurance covers this scan on a yearly or a bi-yearly basis if the participating insurance company is governed by the Affordable Care Act. Participating women should contact their mammography facility or health insurance company for confirmation of the cost and coverage.
Medicare pays for annual screening mammograms for all female Medicare members who are age 40 or older. Medicare will also pay for one baseline mammogram for female beneficiaries between the ages of 35 and 39. There is no deductible requirement for this benefit. Information about coverage of mammograms is available on the Medicare website or through the Medicare Hotline at 1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227). For the hearing impaired, the telephone number is 1–877–486–2048.
For patients who are not covered by insurance or would pay a high deductible, another option is to schedule directly at a mammogram clinic. There are more than 6,000 outpatient imaging centers, many of which provide this exam. This can be obtained for as little as $100 - $150 in a cash payment which is 50% less then you would pay in a co-pay through your insurance company.
For patients that don't want to be exposed to radiation, another option is the use of MRI scan
Your other option is to get a Breast MRI scan. Please be aware that the cost of a Breast MRI scan could be 2x -3x or even more. The added benefit is that your breast tissue will not be exposed to the radiation.
Within any MRI examination, you will be asked to lay as motionless as possible. High-quality images are assured only if you are able to remain perfectly still and follow breath-holding instructions while the images are being recorded. If you are anxious, confused or in severe pain, you may find it difficult to lie still during imaging. Also, a very large person may not fit into the opening of certain types of MRI machines.
The presence of an implant or another metallic object sometimes makes it difficult to obtain clear images due to streak artifacts from the metallic objects.