How much does a mammogram cost? I'm not 40 yet, so my health insurance won't pay...?

Question

Younger women can get breast cancer - we all know that. I am considering getting a mammogram, but because of my age, my insurer won't cover it. Does anyone know how much the procedure will cost if I chose to pay for it out of pocket? Thanks.

Answer 1

Usually most places will not give a mammogram to younger women because their breasts are more dense and the mammogram won't show the areas properly. They are more likely to do these at an earlier age if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or have a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. I was diagnosed at 26 for breast cancer with a 4cm lump that was able to be felt during a breast exam (quite easily) and they still didn't want to do a mammogram on me. They generally will do an ultrasound if there is reason to believe that it could be cancer with your doctors orders for it. If they feel after the ultrasound that there is something suspicious that warrants a mammogram they will then do it. You can't just have a mammogram for the heck of it without reason unless you have reached a certain age based on their criteria. You would need doctors orders to have this done or like I said a strong family history.

Answer 2

Mammogram Cost In India

Answer 3

From cancer.gov:

How much does a mammogram cost?
Screening mammograms generally cost between $50 and $150. Most states now have laws requiring health insurance companies to reimburse all or part of the cost of screening mammograms. Insurance companies and health care providers can supply details.

All women age 40 and older with Medicare can get a screening mammogram each year. Medicare will also pay for one baseline mammogram for a woman between the ages of 35 and 39. There is no deductible requirement for this benefit, but Medicare beneficiaries have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. Information about Medicare coverage is available at http://www.medicare.gov on the Internet, or through the Medicare Hotline at 1–800–633–4227 (1–800–MEDICARE). For the hearing impaired, the telephone number is 1–877–486–2048.

Some state and local health programs and employers provide mammograms free or at low cost. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinates the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This program provides screening services, including clinical breast exams and mammograms, to low-income women throughout the United States and in several U.S. territories. Contact information for local programs is available on the CDC's Web site at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp on the Internet, or by calling the CDC at 1–888–842–6355 (select option 7). Information on low-cost or free mammography screening programs is also available through the NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237).

Answer 4

That's like punishing people just because they're wealthy and some people aren't. Sure, some wealthy people find loopholes, but LOTS of wealthy people DO pay their taxes; you can't lump them all together. My in laws are well off, but they worked their asses off for it - my FIL sacrificed a lot of "dad time" with my husband to be a good provider for his family and to accumulate capital. Should they be punished for that more than anyone else? I don't think so. Think about how much you pay out of your paycheck for things like Medicaid, etc. Then add a few extra zeros to the end - that's how much 'rich people' pay for things like Medicaid. I do agree with the celebrity thing, though - if they are such humanitarians, why don't they start at home in their own country? I have often found that puzzling. But again, a lot of them do - you just don't hear about it as much. And if we move to socialized medicine, the "little people" will still pay for healthcare - it's funded by tax money. It really makes no difference- it has to come from somewhere. All this stimulus bill money, blah blah blah and healthcare crap Obama is taking about - WHERE is the money coming from? Who has that kind of money lying around? It sounds great on paper, but it has to come from somewhere - OUR pockets. There is such animosity for the wealthy in this country, unfortunately, and the policies of Obama don't do much to help that. I've never understood how the majority of Democrats can be for the 'little guy' when you consider the outrageous wealth of people like the Clintons, Nancy Pelosi (her and her husband's combined assets make her the wealthiest member of Congress, from what I've read), and Obama himself (hello - can we say $1.5 MILLION house??) I don't see how people can identify with that. I know I can't. Perhaps those wealthy people accumulated their wealth not through swindling others, but by saving and working hard to secure their futures. If others did the same, then Medicaid wouldn't need to exist, I bet.

Answer 5

Even if you get the mammogram, do monthly exams and trust your hands more than what shows up on the screen. My mom is 41, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and it didn't show up on either the mammogram or the ultrasound.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

Great question and answer.