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Regular mammograms help catch signs of breast cancer early, which can maximize the chance of successful treatment. However, mammograms are often performed separately from annual physicals and well-woman exams. So, you may have to pay for them individually, and costs can vary by many factors. Aflac offers cancer insurance that can provide added financial support in case you get a cancer diagnosis. In this article, we’ll discuss when women should begin getting mammograms, and then dive into the cost of these procedures with and without insurance.
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The American Cancer Society recommends that women speak to their doctor about undergoing an annual mammogram at age 40. By age 45, it’s recommended that women start getting annual mammograms if they aren’t yet.2
Once you reach age 55, you can continue yearly screening but can also drop down to getting a mammogram every two years. You should continue getting mammograms as long as you’re in good health. Ultimately, speak with your doctor about mammogram frequency.
Many health insurance plans cover annual screening mammogram costs for women 40 and older. This makes it easy for you to get your preventive screenings. However, health insurance may offer less coverage for diagnostic procedures. These procedures are more in-depth and more expensive.
Cancer insurance policies,* such as those Aflac offers, can help bridge this gap. Aflac supplemental cancer insurance helps with expenses associated with these types of mammograms.
As mentioned, breast cancer screenings are typically covered by health insurance for women 40 and older. Some locations legally require insurance providers to cover certain mammogram procedures for all women of a certain age. As for cancer insurance, it generally helps cover costs associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Furthermore, qualification depends on the type of policy. For example, you may qualify for cancer insurance through your employer if they offer a group cancer insurance policy. Meanwhile, you can apply for an individual cancer insurance policy through providers such as Aflac to help supplement your health insurance.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get Started3D mammograms provide a three-dimensional image of the breast. Radiologists take images from multiple angles to view breast tissue in more detail than 2D mammograms. 3D mammography can identify breast cancer more often and has a lower false-positive rate than 2D mammography. As a result, 3D mammography is often more desirable among patients.3
3D mammography may cost more than 2D mammography. Fortunately, many insurance companies help cover the cost of 3D mammography, and some localities require insurers to provide coverage for these procedures.
Mammogram costs without insurance can vary, but you may pay the full cost out of pocket if you don’t have insurance. Additionally, 2D mammograms can cost less than 3D mammograms. For example, the national average cost of a 2D mammogram is around $400 and the national average cost for a 3D mammogram is $650.4 If you’re uninsured, low-cost or no-cost options may be available.1
It’s understandable to be concerned about care quality regarding low-cost and no-cost mammograms. However, every mammography facility in the U.S. must abide by criteria specific to the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).5 Furthermore, every facility must undergo annual FDA inspections to ensure they meet quality and care standards. These regulations and inspections include low-cost and no-cost facilities. Therefore, you can expect the same baseline level of care, regardless of your financial situation.
Regular mammograms can be important for women ages 40 and older. These preventive cancer screening procedures can help catch signs of cancer early so that you and your medical providers can act immediately. Fortunately, low-cost and no-cost options are available, and they are regulated to help ensure they offer the same baseline level of quality and care as other facilities. As a result, you can get the care you need no matter your situation.
Aflac supplemental cancer insurance can help provide added financial peace of mind if you receive a diagnosis. If you file a covered claim with your Aflac policy, cash benefits can be used to help with unexpected expenses. Speak with an Aflac agent to see how cancer insurance can help protect you in your time of need.
Get Started
Cancer can be very expensive to treat. That’s where insurance comes in. It can help cover the cost of cancer treatments and help alleviate the significant financial burden a cancer diagnosis often brings. Here’s everything you need to know about cancer treatments and insurance coverage, including Aflac cancer insurance for individuals.
Supplemental health insurance covers what your normal health insurance plan may not. Learn more about the types of supplemental health insurance plans available to you.
Cancer can be very expensive to treat. That’s where insurance comes in. It can help cover the cost of cancer treatments and help alleviate the significant financial burden a cancer diagnosis often brings. Here’s everything you need to know about cancer treatments and insurance coverage, including Aflac cancer insurance for individuals.
Supplemental health insurance covers what your normal health insurance plan may not. Learn more about the types of supplemental health insurance plans available to you.
*Cancer insurance is also known as specified-disease insurance in some states.
1 Breastcancer.org - Where to Get Free and Low-Cost Mammograms. Updated August 14, 2026. https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/where-to-get-mammogram/free-and-low-cost. Accessed August 31, 2026.
2 American Cancer Society – American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer. Updated July 23, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html. Accessed August 31, 2026.
3 American Cancer Society – 2D vs. 3D Mammograms: Understanding the Differences. Published November 5, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/2d-vs-3d-mammograms-understanding-the-differences.html. Accessed August 31, 2026.
4 GoodRx Health - Self-Pay and Imaging: Can Paying Cash Without Insurance Help You Save? Published on May 29, 2026. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/diagnostics/self-pay-imaging. Accessed August 31, 2026.
5 FDA - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and MQSA Program. Updated August 27, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/mammography-quality-standards-act-mqsa-and-mqsa-program. Accessed August 31, 2026.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac Coverage
Cancer (B70000 Series) - In Delaware, Policies B70100, B70200 & B70300. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID & B70300ID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK & B70300OK. Not available in NY or VA. (A75000 Series) - In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Tier One Coverage
Cancer (T70000 Series) - In Arkansas, Policy T70000ARR. In Delaware, Policy T70000DE. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T70000OK. In Oregon, Policy T70000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policies T70000PA, T70000GPA. In Texas, Policy T70000TX. Not available in NJ, NM, or NY.
Tier One coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Aflac’s family of insurers include Aflac, Aflac New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company.
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