I have been hearing more and more of women getting breast cancer at ages earlier than 40, which is the recommended age for women to get mammograms. Age 40 also is the earliest age to where most health insurance companies will agree to pay for mammograms. I am only 26, but have had cancer in the past. Now I feel like I want to take my body in my own hands and that I should start now with yearly mammograms. Does anyone know how much mammograms cost if you don't turn them into your insurance company?
I was at the doctor yesterday at OU Physicians and there was a poster up for free mammograms if you have a certain income level. The number for more information is ###-###-#### option 2. If you have found that it is not covered by your insurance maybe this will help.
i'm also a cancer survivor (thyroid cancer) and since i've already had radioactive iodine treatment,bring on the mammograms. i'm also curious as to how much the mammograms cost out of pocket, so i'd like to how much they cost as well. worst case, have your hubby check for lumps *wink*. good luck!
Hi, my gma had breast cancer and I have fibroid breasts. I went to my doc and he referred me for one last year. Now he said I should go every year even though I am only 28. If your doc recommends it, maybe insurance will pay for it.
I wish you the best of luck, with your past history maybe you will find a doctor that will refer you for one earlier on. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago and when I went to my docotor (both a general practice and then to my OBGYN) they both said that the best they could do was to make sure I get a mammogram at 35. I was only 25 at the time and could not find anyone who would recommend that I get one any earlier so if I were to decide that I needed one or wanted one for my own piece of mind then I would have to pay for it out of pocket.
Check with your Doctor and insurance company and see if it isnt possible to get a prior authorization for a mammogram. Especially if you have dealt with cancer in the past...I feel sure that the Dr would tell the Insurance company that the mammogram is a good idea.
If they dont agree to it...check with your doctor about local resources for low cost mammograms. They can be quite expensive if you pay for them out of your own pocket...I have no idea how much...but I am sure it is in excess of $250.
Good luck!!!
Early mammograms are covered if the doctor feels it's medically necessary. I've had 3 since I turned 30. Mostly for breast pain and the fact that one milk duct never dried up.
You are your best advocate. If you feel like a mammogram is necessary then get your ob/gyn to order it and the insurance should pay. However Mammograms combined with ultrasounds are a better diagnostic pairing than Mammograms alone.
Having Cancer is scary but you didn't say what type. Some cancers aren't known to re occur much less trigger a different type.
If you have had breast cancer then normal protocol is to keep getting those mammograms even before 40.
I agree with the last poster, check with your doctor and have him recommend one. With a past history, you will have a greater chance of getting it approved.
Also, look around for a "womens" clinic in your area, they sometimes have a special month each year where the proceedures and testes are greatly discounted.
Hi: just remember that mammograms are radiation. Radiation damages the breasts. That is one reason that they do not recommend them so soon. Also the tissue density is such that there are false negatives and positives.
Learn the nutritional approach to breast cancer prevention- not from the American Cancer society either. High quality fish oil, raw foods diet and stay away from all chemicals. Good luck and keep your chin up, you have a lot of homework to do.
