Breast Ultrasound?

Question

This question is for those who have had an ultrasound of the breast. I was told by a doctor I saw about 4 months ago that I should get an ultrasound done on breast, because of a lump I have. I don't have any insurance and I don't think I qualify for any of that other stuff, so I want to know about how much it would cost so I could plan to pay for it myself. Any help is much appreciated, thank you.

I've had the lump for about 10 months or so, there have been no changes in it at all. Normally I develope small lumps but they go away on their own in a matter of days/weeks.

Answer 1

My best advice would be to look in your local yellow pages, and make calls for estimated costs at facilities in your area. Prices will vary depending on which state you are in....in fact, the prices can vary quite a bit between facilities in the same area. I work in a free standing imaging center, and we charge about $350, which is half what the hospital (located in the same town!) charges. Look in the yellow pages under "x-ray" or "physicians - radiologist" and start calling facilities. If you call the imaging department of a hospital, make sure you get both the technical fee (for the cost of the procedure) and the professional fee (for the radiologist's reading). Most free standing imaging centers combine those costs into one fee. Other things to think about.....find out if the facility offers a cash discount for uninsured patients. Also, find out if they can make a payment plan for you, if you cannot come up with all of the money at the time of your procedure. We ask for 25% down at time of service, and then we do a payment plan, mapping out monthly payments for the balance. Sometimes the monthly payment is fairly low.....$50 even. A little bit of research can save you some money!

I am assuming you are a younger woman, as your doctor is not asking for a mammogram. You might try contacting these resources. They are set up to provide low cost mammograms to women, but they also will help pay for ultrasounds or even biopsies. If nothing else, maybe they can refer you to another program which may be better tailored to your situation.

****Call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society (number in your phone book) or the national toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345. The ACS will be able to tell you about any low-cost or free mammography programs offering screening to women unable to pay for it themselves.
****Call your State Department of Health (number in your phone book). Every state now has a Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program offers screening to qualifying women unable to pay for it themselves.
****Call the YWCA's ENCOREplus Program for access to low-cost or free mammograms. To find which YWCA facilities offer this service and if you are eligible, call 1-800-95EPLUS or your local YWCA.
****Call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER for the names of FDA-certified, accredited mammography facilities in your area. If you explain your financial situation, some mammography facilities are willing to work out a lower fee or payment schedule that will make the test more affordable. Ask the facility if they are willing to discuss these options with you.


Best wishes, and remember, if the lump has not grown in 10 months, it is probably not a breast cancer. Cancer ALWAYS grows, if left untreated.....

Answer 2

You have every right to take the U/S results to your regular doctor. While the results will be sent to the doctor that ordered them automatically, you can ask the radiology center to send the results to your regular doctor and make an appointment to speak with her about it. This substitute may have been the one to order them, but it is YOUR body. As far as being worried, It does sound like something to be concerned about, but until you get results, try not to stress too much. I had a mammogram a year ago, was called back for an ultrasound, then was called back for a biopsy. It turned out to be nothing.

Answer 3

It will depend on the facility that you go to get it done at. Some of them when they hear that you don't have insurance will offer a discount to make payment easier, or even a payment plan. When you call the place you want to go to for the ultrasound ask to talk to the Office Manager, or the Billing Dept supervisor.