Are you having trouble affording a mammogram? Don’t have that be the reason you’re delaying a screening.
The US Preventative Task Force recommends that women should get a mammogram between 40 and 74 years old, but women put it off for many reasons.
These reasons include being low-income or uninsured, lack of reliable transportation, or food insecurity, according to the CDC.
But early detection is critical for all women, regardless of financial situation. We list many resources on our website that provide women with free or low cost mammogram screenings.
With so many options available, the choices can feel overwhelming. To help make your research easier, we’re going to give you a run down on what kind of help you can find on our website.
government funded programs
One of the easiest ways to find help with mammogram costs is to use The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The CDC partners with many locations across the US to provide free or low cost mammograms to underserved women.
These programs are usually located in your local health department, community clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, or community hospital. Use their website to find a location that offers affordable mammogram testing.
Eligibility requirements can vary by state, so we recommend that you contact each program for details. Typically, eligible women are low income, uninsured, or underinsured. Age requirements may depend on the program.
Nonprofits Providing Mammogram Expenses
Many nonprofits organizations offer financial assistance for mammogram expenses. We actually covered a few of them in a previous blog post.
But there are more organizations that we list on our website that cover mammogram screenings. Here are a few nonprofits we list on our website:
- The National Breast Cancer foundation provides grants for free breast screenings other diagnostics.
- A Silver Lining Foundation offers funding through their Buy a Mom a Mammogram Program.
- The United Breast Cancer Foundation’s Breast Screening Program offers free or low-cost breast screenings to women and men nationwide.
And those are just a few of the national programs. We list regional programs too, like the DCH Breast Cancer Fund or Links for Life. There are likely more programs that fit your needs.
Mobile Mammography Vans
For many women, lack of transportation is a major obstacle to getting a mammogram. Thankfully, mobile mammography vans help by bringing screenings directly to communities.
These mobile units travel to underserved areas, providing free or affordable mammograms to women who might not have access. A couple examples include:
- Mount Sinai’s Mobile Mammography Van: They bring their services to all 5 boroughs of New York City.
- The Rose Mobile Mammography Program: This program offers their services to 43 counties in Southeast Texas.
These programs are usually provided by hospitals and medical facilities. Contact your local hospital to see if they provide this service.
How to find a mammogram Program on NeedyMeds
With over 189 resources for free or low-cost mammograms, NeedyMeds is here to help you find the right program. Now that you know what’s available, here’s how to start your search:
- Go to our Diagnosis-Based Assistance section.
- You’ll see a box where you can type in your diagnosis. Type in “Breast Cancer.”
- Click Additional Search Criteria.
- In the dropdown menu for Search by Service, select “Testing/Screening.”
- Click Search Programs.
That’s it! You’ll be able to see a list of mammogram programs that may meet your needs. From national organizations to local resources, NeedyMeds can help you find the assistance you deserve.
Don’t let cost keep you from getting a mammogram. Visit our website or call our helpline at 800-503-6897 for personalized assistance.
