Free Mammogram Clinics: How to Get One Near You

The fastest way to get a free mammogram is to call the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). NBCCEDP funds free screenings in every state for women aged 40–64 who are uninsured or underinsured and earn at or below 250% of the federal poverty level — about $39,125 for a single person or $66,625 for a household of three in 2026.

Five Places to Get a Free Mammogram

NBCCEDP: The Main Federal Program

The CDC funds the NBCCEDP across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 13 tribal organizations, and 7 U.S. territories including Puerto Rico and Guam. State health departments run the program under different brand names — for example, “Healthy Texas Women” in Texas, the “Cancer Screening Program” in New York, and “Every Woman Matters” in Nebraska.

Each program covers the same core services:

• Screening mammograms
• Clinical breast exams
• Diagnostic follow-up (additional imaging, biopsy referral)
• Patient navigation to help you book appointments and understand results
• Treatment referrals if cancer is found, often through Medicaid breast and cervical cancer treatment programs

2026 Eligibility: Income Limits

For coverage effective in 2026, the 250% FPL threshold in the 48 contiguous states is:

Alaska and Hawaii use slightly higher thresholds. Some states allow income up to 300% FPL — check your state program’s exact rule.

Other NBCCEDP requirements:

• Age 40 to 64 for breast screening (states may extend the upper limit if you have no Medicare Part B)
• U.S. resident; many states do not require proof of citizenship
• No insurance, or insurance that does not cover the mammogram

How to Find a Free Clinic Near You

1. Search the CDC locator. Open the CDC Find a Screening Program page and click your state on the map. You’ll get a phone number for your state’s NBCCEDP grantee.
2. Call your state grantee. Ask them to enroll you and refer you to a participating clinic. Have your income, household size, and insurance status ready.
3. Book the appointment. The clinic bills the state program directly — you pay nothing.
4. If you don’t qualify for NBCCEDP, call Susan G. Komen at 1-877-465-6636 or the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s hospital partners.
5. Backup option: walk into a Federally Qualified Health Center. They will not turn anyone away; you pay on a sliding scale, sometimes as low as $0.

Without Insurance: What a Mammogram Actually Costs

If you can’t access a free program, knowing the cash price helps you negotiate:

• National median cash price: $243 for a screening mammogram, with most facilities charging $165–$342
• Imaging centers: $150–$400
• Hospitals: $500 and up
• Diagnostic mammogram (after a suspicious finding): $250–$1,000+

Independent imaging centers are 30–50% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments for the exact same scan. Ask for the “self-pay” or “cash” price and request an itemized quote before booking.

Affordable Care Act Coverage

Under the ACA, most private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid expansion plans must cover a screening mammogram every 1–2 years for women 40 and over at no out-of-pocket cost. If you have any insurance, check your benefits first — your “free” mammogram may already be sitting in your plan.

If your plan denies the claim, push back: federal rules classify screening mammograms as preventive care that cannot be subject to a copay, deductible, or coinsurance when delivered in-network.

State Programs Worth Knowing

• New York: Cancer Services Program covers women 40+ at all income levels if uninsured. Call 1-866-442-2262.
• Texas: Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) funds screening at 200+ contractor sites. Call 2-1-1.
• California: Every Woman Counts (EWC), administered by the Department of Health Care Services. Call 1-800-511-2300.
• Florida: Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP), through county health departments.
• Pennsylvania: PA-BCCEDP, through HealthyWoman Program contractors statewide.

Mobile Mammogram Vans

Hospital systems and nonprofits run mobile units that park at community centers, churches, and workplaces during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and year-round. Examples:

• American Cancer Society / Pink Ribbon Mobile Mammography
• MD Anderson Mobile Mammography Program (Houston region)
• NYU Langone Mobile Mammography Van (New York City)
• Project Renewal ScanVan (NYC homeless and low-income outreach)

Call your local health department or 2-1-1 to find scheduled stops near you.

FAQ

Who is eligible for a free mammogram?

The CDC’s NBCCEDP covers women aged 40–64 who have no insurance or whose insurance won’t pay for the screening, and whose household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. Many state programs are more generous.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?

NBCCEDP does not require proof of citizenship. Documentation rules vary by state, but most accept any U.S. resident regardless of immigration status. Federally Qualified Health Centers serve all patients.

How often should I get a mammogram?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening mammogram every two years for women 40–74. Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer — you may need earlier or annual screening.

Can men get free mammograms?

NBCCEDP funds women’s screening only. Men with symptoms or a family history of male breast cancer can still ask a Federally Qualified Health Center for a sliding-scale diagnostic exam.

What if I’m 39 or younger?

Routine screening starts at 40. If you have a strong family history, the BRCA gene, or a lump, ask your doctor for a referral — diagnostic mammograms for symptoms are covered at any age by most state programs.

Will Planned Parenthood do a mammogram?

Planned Parenthood does clinical breast exams and refers patients to local mammography providers, often within their low-cost or NBCCEDP network. They do not operate mammography machines themselves.

How long does the screening take?

The exam itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Plan for an hour total to handle paperwork, changing, and waiting for the technician to confirm images are clear.

What happens if the mammogram finds something?

You’ll be called back for a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy. NBCCEDP covers all diagnostic follow-up. If cancer is diagnosed, every state has a Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program that pays for full treatment regardless of your prior Medicaid eligibility.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No. Most state NBCCEDP programs and imaging centers let you self-refer for a screening mammogram once you’re enrolled in the program.

Can I get a free 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis)?

Many NBCCEDP-funded sites now offer 3D mammography at no cost. Ask when booking — coverage and equipment vary by clinic.

Key Resources

• CDC NBCCEDP: cdc.gov screening locator · 1-800-232-4636
• Susan G. Komen: komen.org · 1-877-465-6636
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: nationalbreastcancer.org
• HRSA Find a Health Center: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
• 2-1-1: Dial 211 from any U.S. phone for local health and social service referrals.