Getting Mammograms if No Insurance

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Medigal
Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Ladies a while back I think I read about there being a place where ladies could get free mammograms if they did not have medical insurance.  If there is, would you please advise me where someone could go in there particular city?  We have a friend who has bc in two of her family members and she is in her 40's and has never had a mammogram.  She says it is because she has no insurance to help pay for it.  This concerns me that she is taking a great risk by not finding out where she stands with this.   Please let me know as soon as possible if you know who she needs to contact in her particular city to inquire about the free mammogram if it is available.  Thank you so much for any help or information you can provide.

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  • gfbaker
    gfbaker Member Posts: 173
    edited January 2012

    I don't know of any specific places, but call the cancer center at a local hospital and see if there are any programs available; they would have the best information. Especially if there is any family history. I hope you can convince her to get one.

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited January 2012

    Medigal ~ I know there are hospitals and diagnostic centers who offer free mammograms during October.  Perhaps some in your area do the same?  Along with gfbaker's idea to call your local cancer center, you could maybe call your county's Health Department and/or Family Services.

    Komen says they help with screening; maybe you could check with them, too. 

    Artemis 

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2012

    http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cancer/cancerbreast.shtml

    This is for NYC.

    I don't know what state you are in Medigal.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited January 2012

    Where does she live? What state and county?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2012

    Not that I am a cheerleader for Komen, but their grant program gives money to local communities for free/low cost mammograms if you are low-income or uninsured.  I just googled free mammograms and my city and it came up immediately.  Often the money raised in local races goes to fund services in that local community.  Your county health department should be able to direct you to the proper resources.  I have also seen the mammogram buses with a self contained unit that is specifically for underserved/uninsured people.

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited January 2012

    Ladies:  Thanks for all the info.  She lives in KY and I googled up her city and your were right.  I got quite a bit of places where she can go for a free mammo.  I was very encouraged by how many places are trying to make sure women get their mammograms by offering them free!  Some get grants just to provide free mammos in cases of the uninsured. I have passed the info on to her and now it is up to her.  As they say "you can't force a horse to drink water if he doesn't want to".  Or something like that, I think!  Thanks for your help, as usual!

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited January 2012

    Medigal,

    Your friend can contact her local health department and ask about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program.  It offers free mammograms.

    Hope all is well with you,

    Bren

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited January 2012

    Hi Bren!  I'm surviving and getting to go off Arimidex after 8 and half years!  Thanks for the info for my friend. Hope all is especially well with you, too.

    Medigal

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2012

    In addition to all the great advice already posted, the main Breastcancer.org site has a section called Paying for Your Care that covers more information about other expenses. The Where to Get a Mammogram article has more helpful info about selecting a good facility.

    Judith and the Mods

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