Breast cancer screening is a continuum. It begins with a screening mammogram, which is often free for most insured women. However, if a woman receives an abnormal result or requires additional imaging due to personal risk factors, follow-up testing such as a ultrasound, MRI, and/or biopsy, may be necessary. These follow-up services are not always fully covered by insurance and often result in out-of-pocket cost sharing for patients.
A January 2025 economic analysis by ACS CAN and FTI Consulting examined the impact of cost sharing on follow-up care after a screening mammogram. The study found that many patients face substantial out-of-pocket cost sharing for additional testing and imaging following an abnormal result. These financial barriers often lead to delays in follow-up care and future mammograms, contributing to later-stage cancer diagnoses and increased overall healthcare costs.
