How Much Does a Screening Mammogram Cost?
Screening mammography is a relatively low cost procedure. The average cost for screening mammography in the U.S. is at least $100. Depending on a woman’s health coverage program, there may be little or no “out of pocket cost” for screening mammography. Diagnostic mammography, which is often performed if an abnormality is detected on a screening mammogram, is more involved and time-consuming than screening mammography. Thus, diagnostic mammography is more expensive than screening mammography. On January 1, 1998, the U.S. Congress expanded coverage for screening mammograms for Medicare beneficiaries 40 years of age and older. Donna E. Shalala, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, reported that it is no longer necessary for Medicare beneficiaries to pay the annual deductible for screening mammograms (or Pap smears, pelvic exams or clinical breast exams). Previously, there was a small Medicare deductible of approximately $25 for screening mammography. Women younger than 40 who also
