Is a radiologist fee included in the mammogram cash price?

Not always. Some facilities bill the scan and the radiologist's reading separately. When you ask for a self-pay quote, ask whether the reading fee is included so the total does not surprise you.

Can men get a free mammogram through the CDC program?

The CDC program is built to serve women with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured. Men with breast symptoms should see a doctor and ask the facility about self-pay rates or hospital financial help.

Why do mammogram prices vary so much between hospitals?

Each hospital sets its own cash price, and prices differ by region, facility type, and market. One Kansas study found self-pay prices from $63 to $806 for the same screening code. Comparing a few facilities is the simplest way to avoid the high end.

Do I need a doctor's order to get a screening mammogram?

It depends on the facility. Some let you book a screening on your own, and others want an order from a clinician. Call ahead and ask, and have a doctor's name ready so the results go to someone who can follow up.

What happens if a free screening finds something abnormal?

The CDC program also covers diagnostic services for women who qualify, and it offers patient navigation. That means follow-up imaging or a biopsy may be covered too, not just the first mammogram.

How Much Does a Mammogram Cost Without Insurance?

The short answer: A screening mammogram without insurance usually costs a few hundred dollars. A national study of 2021 hospital price files found a median cash price of $233, with the middle half of hospitals charging $158 to $333. Prices vary a lot by facility, and some hospitals charge much more. If your income is low, a CDC program may cover your mammogram for free.

What is the typical cash price for a screening mammogram?

The best national numbers come from hospital price transparency files. Since January 2021, US hospitals must post their cash prices for a list of common services. A screening mammogram of both breasts (billing code CPT 77067) is on that list.

A 2021 study in JAMA Network Open pulled those posted prices as of July 1, 2021. It covered 1,298 hospitals in 50 states. For a bilateral screening mammogram, it found:

Median cash price: $233.
Middle 50% of hospitals: $158 to $333.
Cash price below the median insurer rate: true at 52.5% of hospitals.

That last point matters. At about half of hospitals, paying cash was cheaper than the typical rate an insurer had negotiated. So the posted cash price is not always the worst deal in the building.

A smaller 2025 study of Kansas hospitals found a similar middle point. Across 96 hospitals that posted a price, the median self-pay price for a screening mammogram was $228. But the range ran from $63 to $806. That is a spread of more than 12 times for the same test in one state.

These figures are hospital prices from specific years. Your price today will depend on the facility, your region, and the date. Treat them as a guide for what to expect, not a quote.

Does a diagnostic or 3D mammogram cost more?

Usually, yes. A diagnostic mammogram is done when you have a symptom, such as a lump, or when a screening result needs a closer look. It may include extra views that are not part of a standard screening.

In the same JAMA Network Open data, the median 2021 cash price for a diagnostic mammogram of both breasts (CPT 77066) was $277. The middle half of hospitals charged $196 to $404. A diagnostic mammogram of one breast (CPT 77065) had a median of $225.

A diagnostic visit can also lead to more charges. An ultrasound, a follow-up visit, or a biopsy each carries its own price. Ask for a written estimate that lists every part of the visit.

3D mammography (tomosynthesis) can add cost too. The American Cancer Society notes that 3D mammograms often cost more than 2D, and the extra cost might not be covered by insurance. Our guide to 3D vs 2D mammograms covers when the upgrade may be worth it.

Can you get a free mammogram if you are uninsured?

Many people can. The CDC runs the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). It gives free or low-cost mammograms and diagnostic tests to women with low incomes who lack adequate insurance. It funds 71 award recipients across states, territories, and tribes.

According to the CDC eligibility page, you may qualify if all of these are true:

You have no insurance, or your insurance does not cover screening exams.
Your yearly income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
You are 40 to 64 years old (for breast cancer screening).

The CDC also says certain women who are younger or older may qualify. The program covers more than the first scan. It also pays for diagnostic services and gives patient navigation to help you get care on time. To find your local program, call the CDC at 800-232-4636 or use the state list on the CDC site.

What if you have Medicare or can get an ACA plan?

If you can get coverage, a screening mammogram is often free. The Affordable Care Act requires Marketplace plans to cover preventive services without a copay or coinsurance when you use an in-network provider. HealthCare.gov lists a screening mammogram every 1 to 2 years for women 40 and older.

Medicare Part B covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for women 40 and older. You pay nothing for the screening if the provider accepts assignment. Diagnostic mammograms are different. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

The same split shows up in private plans. A screening mammogram is preventive care. A diagnostic mammogram is often billed as a test for a problem, so a deductible or coinsurance may apply.

How can you lower what you pay?

Because prices vary so much, a few calls can save real money. Try these steps:

Check the NBCCEDP first. If you meet the income and age rules, the test may cost nothing.
Ask for the self-pay price. Say you are paying cash, and ask for the total, including the radiologist's reading fee.
Look up posted prices. Hospitals must post cash prices online. Search the hospital name plus "price transparency" or "price estimator."
Compare more than one facility. The same billing code can carry very different prices at different places.
Ask about 2D. If cost is the barrier, ask whether a standard 2D screening is an option for you.
Ask about payment plans or charity care. Ask the billing office whether it offers financial help for low-income patients.

Other imaging tests follow the same pattern. Our sister site covers how much an MRI costs without insurance if you also need breast MRI.

Is it worth paying out of pocket for a mammogram?

For most women in the recommended age range, screening is worth planning for. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening mammogram every 2 years for women aged 40 to 74 (April 2024). That works out to about one test every other year, not every month.

If cost is the only thing stopping you, look for help before you skip. The free CDC program, a lower-cost imaging center, or a Marketplace plan may bring the price down. Not sure when to start? See our guide on when to get your first mammogram.

Do not wait on cost if you have a symptom. A new lump, skin change, or nipple discharge needs a medical visit, not a routine screening slot.

The bottom line

A screening mammogram without insurance typically runs a few hundred dollars. A 2021 national study found a median hospital cash price of $233, and a 2025 Kansas study found prices from $63 to $806. Diagnostic and 3D mammograms often cost more. Before you pay, check whether you qualify for the free CDC program, and call two or three facilities for their self-pay price.

Last updated: September 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Prices vary by facility and change over time, so confirm the cost with the provider before your appointment.