To find a mammogram near you, search for breast imaging centers, hospital radiology departments, and women’s health clinics, then confirm the facility is certified and accepts your insurance. In the United States, the FDA provides a searchable list of certified mammography facilities by ZIP code. Ask whether you need a referral, whether the appointment is for screening or a breast concern, and what you may have to pay.
Where Can You Find a Mammogram Near You?
You can get a mammogram at several types of healthcare facilities. The best place for you depends on your location, insurance coverage, appointment availability, and whether you need routine screening or an examination for a breast concern.
Start by checking these options:
- Hospital radiology departments: Many hospitals have breast imaging services that provide screening and diagnostic mammograms.
- Dedicated breast imaging centers: These facilities focus on breast imaging and may offer screening mammography, diagnostic imaging, and additional examinations when needed.
- Women's health clinics: Some clinics arrange mammograms directly or refer patients to nearby imaging facilities.
- Private radiology practices: Independent imaging centers may offer convenient appointment times and locations.
- Mobile mammography services: Some communities provide mobile screening units that visit workplaces, community centers, or underserved areas.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), mammograms are available through hospitals, breast clinics, private radiology offices, doctors' offices, and mobile vans. Depending on the facility and your insurance requirements, you may be able to book a screening appointment without a doctor's referral.
How Can You Check Whether a Mammogram Center Is Certified?
When choosing an imaging center in the United States, check that it has the required mammography certification. A nearby location may be convenient, but confirming its credentials is an important part of selecting a facility.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides an online directory of certified mammography facilities. You can search by ZIP code to find locations that meet baseline federal quality standards for mammography equipment, personnel, and practices.
To use the directory:
- Open the FDA's certified mammography facility search page.
- Select the option to search for facilities in your area.
- Enter your ZIP code and review the nearby locations.
- Note the facility's name, address, and telephone number.
- Contact the center to confirm its current certification status and appointment availability.
The FDA directory helps establish whether a facility meets required quality standards; it does not rank centers or recommend one over another. You should still compare practical details such as cost, appointment times, accessibility, and whether your previous imaging records can be obtained.
What Should You Ask Before Booking a Mammogram?
Before scheduling, contact the imaging center to confirm that it offers the right type of examination and that you can complete the appointment under your insurance or payment arrangements. Asking a few specific questions can help prevent unexpected expenses or delays.
- Do you offer the type of mammogram I need? Confirm whether the appointment is for routine screening or diagnostic evaluation.
- Do I need a referral or doctor's order? Requirements depend on the facility, your health plan, and the reason for the examination.
- Do you accept my insurance? Ask whether both the facility and the services you need are covered.
- What will the appointment cost? Request an estimate that distinguishes screening from diagnostic imaging and includes any possible additional charges.
- When will I receive my results? Ask how the report will be delivered and whom to contact if you do not receive it.
- Can you access my previous mammograms? Comparing earlier images with current images may help the radiologist assess changes over time.
If you have had mammograms at another hospital or imaging center, tell the new facility when booking. It may need to request your previous images before your appointment or ask you to arrange their transfer.
Do You Need a Screening or Diagnostic Mammogram?
The type of mammogram you need affects how you schedule the examination, whether you need an order, and what you may pay.
Screening mammograms
A screening mammogram checks for breast changes that may indicate cancer before a person notices symptoms. It is intended for people who do not have a new breast concern and are following an appropriate screening plan. Depending on local procedures and insurance rules, you may be able to schedule this examination directly with an imaging center.
Diagnostic mammograms
A diagnostic mammogram evaluates a breast concern or examines an area that needs further assessment after a screening test. Examples of concerns include a new lump, nipple discharge, or a change in the appearance of the breast. The radiology team may take additional images or recommend other tests, depending on the findings.
If you notice a new or concerning breast change, contact a healthcare professional rather than booking a routine screening appointment and assuming it will address the problem. The clinician can help determine the appropriate evaluation and explain how to arrange the necessary imaging. A diagnostic appointment may involve different booking procedures and costs from a preventive screening examination.
How Much Does a Mammogram Cost?
The cost of a mammogram depends on the type of examination, your insurance plan, the facility, and whether further imaging is needed. A screening mammogram may be covered as preventive care, while a diagnostic mammogram may involve a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. Check the details of your own plan before confirming the appointment.
According to the National Cancer Institute, many health insurance plans governed by the Affordable Care Act cover screening mammograms as a preventive benefit for eligible women aged 40 and older, generally at recommended intervals and without cost-sharing requirements. Coverage rules and eligibility can depend on the plan, so confirm your benefits with your insurer and the imaging facility.
If you have Medicare, review the official Medicare mammography coverage information before scheduling. Medicare Part B covers eligible screening and diagnostic mammograms, but the amount you pay can differ by examination type and circumstances. For example, eligible screening mammograms generally have no out-of-pocket cost when the provider accepts Medicare assignment, while diagnostic mammograms may involve cost-sharing.
What if you do not have insurance?
Ask local hospitals, public health departments, women's health clinics, and community health programs whether they offer reduced-cost screening. Some programs help eligible people obtain mammograms at little or no cost. The NCI's Cancer Information Service can also help you locate resources in the United States at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
When Should You Schedule a Mammogram?
The right screening schedule depends on your age, medical history, and breast cancer risk. For people at average risk in the United States, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening mammography every two years from ages 40 through 74. Recommendations from other medical organizations may differ, including the suggested frequency of screening.
People with a strong family history of breast cancer, certain inherited genetic changes, a personal history of breast cancer, or previous radiation treatment to the chest may need an individualized screening plan. Discuss your risk factors with a healthcare professional to determine when to begin screening and whether additional imaging is appropriate. For adults aged 75 and older, screening decisions should take individual health circumstances and the available evidence into account.
Do not delay an evaluation of a new breast concern simply because you are younger than the usual screening age or recently had a normal screening mammogram. Screening recommendations apply to people without symptoms; a breast concern may require a separate clinical assessment.
How Should You Prepare for Your Mammogram Appointment?
Once you have chosen a location and confirmed your appointment, a few simple preparations can help the visit go smoothly.
- Gather previous records: Tell the center where and when you had earlier breast imaging so it can arrange access to your images.
- Wear comfortable clothing: A two-piece outfit is convenient because you will generally need to remove your clothing from the waist up and wear a gown.
- Avoid certain products: Do not apply deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, or creams around your breasts or underarms on the day of the examination. These products may appear on the images.
- Share relevant information: Tell the staff about breast symptoms, previous breast surgery, breast implants, a personal or family history of breast cancer, and any possibility of pregnancy.
- Consider timing if your breasts are tender: If you menstruate and your breasts are usually sensitive around your period, scheduling at another time may make the examination more comfortable.
According to RadiologyInfo.org, a mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast. During the examination, each breast is positioned between two plates and briefly compressed while images are taken. The pressure can cause temporary discomfort, although the experience varies from person to person.
What Happens After Your Mammogram?
After the examination, a radiologist reviews the images and prepares a report. You should ask the imaging center how and when you will receive your results and whether they will also be sent to your healthcare professional.
An initial screening result may be normal, may show a benign change, or may indicate that additional images or other tests are needed. Being called back for further imaging does not automatically mean that cancer has been found. Follow the recommended next steps, and contact the facility or ordering clinician if you have not received your results within the stated time frame.
Choosing a mammogram center is only the first step. Confirming its credentials, understanding your appointment type, checking coverage, and arranging follow-up will help you complete the process with fewer surprises.