Georgia Medicare mammography screening is free for the women it covers: if you are on Medicare in Georgia, your yearly screening mammogram costs you nothing. Medicare covers one screening mammogram every 12 months at $0 for women age 40 and older, plus a one-time baseline screening for women age 35 to 39. This guide explains who qualifies, what a follow-up or diagnostic mammogram can cost, and how to find a certified place to get screened.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
In This Guide
- Who Is Covered by Georgia Medicare Mammography Screening
- What Georgia Medicare Mammography Screening Costs
- 2D, 3D, and Diagnostic Mammograms
- How to Get a Screening Mammogram in Georgia
- Where to Get Screened in Georgia
- Dense Breasts and Supplemental Imaging
- Common Cost Surprises to Avoid
- Where to Get Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Who Is Covered by Georgia Medicare Mammography Screening
Medicare mammography coverage comes from Section 1861(jj) of the Social Security Act and its implementing regulation, 42 CFR 410.34. That regulation sets who is covered and how often.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Women age 40 and older are covered for one screening mammogram every 12 months. There is no upper age limit, so a woman in her 80s or 90s is still eligible for an annual screening. The decision to keep screening at an advanced age is a personal one to make with your doctor, weighing your overall health and preferences.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Women age 35 to 39 are covered for one baseline screening mammogram, once in a lifetime. This mostly applies to younger women who are already on Medicare because of a disability, since most people do not join Medicare until age 65.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
How the annual clock works
Medicare does not count exactly 365 days between screenings. Under 42 CFR 410.34, once you are over 39, Medicare pays for your next screening mammogram after at least 11 full months have passed following the month of your last one. So if you were screened in June 2026, your next screening is covered starting in June 2027. Knowing this rule keeps a scheduling office from turning you away a few weeks too early.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
A note on screening mammography for men
Screening mammography under Section 1861(jj) is defined as a service for women. Male breast cancer is rare, and routine screening mammography is not recommended for men. A man with a breast lump or other symptom can still get a covered diagnostic mammogram when his doctor orders one as medically necessary.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
What Georgia Medicare Mammography Screening Costs
A screening mammogram costs you $0 when your provider accepts Medicare assignment. There is no Part B deductible and no coinsurance for the screening itself. This is because screening mammography is a preventive service that Medicare covers in full.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
The zero-cost rule traces to the Affordable Care Act, which removed cost-sharing for recommended preventive screenings effective January 1, 2011. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening mammography for women beginning at age 40, which matches Medicare's longstanding coverage age.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Preventive and screening services. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-screening-services
Where cost can appear is when a mammogram is diagnostic rather than screening. A diagnostic mammogram is one done because you have symptoms, a personal history of breast cancer, or an abnormal finding that needs a closer look. For a diagnostic mammogram, after you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
| Service | What you pay (2026) |
|---|---|
| Screening mammogram (2D) | $0 with assignment |
| Screening 3D / DBT add-on | $0 with assignment |
| Diagnostic mammogram | 20% after the $283 Part B deductible |
| Breast ultrasound (when medically necessary) | 20% after the $283 Part B deductible |
| Breast MRI (when medically necessary) | 20% after the $283 Part B deductible |
Figures for the Part B deductible and coinsurance are the 2026 amounts set by Medicare.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
2D, 3D, and Diagnostic Mammograms
Standard (2D) digital mammography is the everyday screening exam: two images of each breast. It is the baseline covered screening service.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
3D mammography, or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), takes images from several angles and reconstructs thin "slices" of the breast. It can find small cancers and reduce false-alarm callbacks, especially in women with dense breast tissue. Medicare has covered DBT since January 1, 2015, and when it is done as part of a screening, it is also $0 to you.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Diagnostic mammography is a different exam with different billing. It is used when a screening finds something that needs another look, when you have symptoms such as a lump or discharge, or for follow-up after breast cancer. Because it is not a preventive screening, a diagnostic mammogram carries the standard 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. This is the single most common source of an unexpected bill, and it is covered in more detail below.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
How to Get a Screening Mammogram in Georgia
Confirm you are due
You are eligible if you are a woman age 40 or older and it has been at least 11 months since the month of your last screening mammogram (or you are 35 to 39 and have never had a baseline screening).Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Ask your primary care provider for an order
Most screening mammograms are ordered at a yearly checkup. If you do not have a provider, a mammography center can often help you arrange the order. You do not need a referral to keep the screening at $0, but you do need the exam coded as screening.
Choose an MQSA-certified facility
Screening must be done at a facility certified under the Mammography Quality Standards Act. Search the FDA's database of MQSA-certified facilities or ask the center directly, including mobile mammography units, which meet the same standards.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Bring your Medicare information and confirm assignment
Ask whether the provider accepts Medicare assignment so the screening is billed at $0. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm the facility is in your plan's network.
Get your results and set next year's reminder
By law, the facility must send you your results in plain language. Note the month of your exam so you know when your next annual screening is covered.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Where to Get Screened in Georgia
Georgia has breast imaging capacity in every region, plus mobile units that reach rural counties. These are well-established programs; contact them or check the FDA database for the certified location nearest you.
- Metro Atlanta: Emory Breast Imaging Center, Wellstar Breast Care, Piedmont Breast Health, Northside Comprehensive Breast Care, and Grady Health System's breast health program.
- Augusta and east Georgia: Augusta University Breast Health Center, University Hospital, and Doctors Hospital.
- Macon and central Georgia: Atrium Health Navicent and Houston Healthcare in Warner Robins.
- Savannah and the coast: Memorial Health and St. Joseph's/Candler.
- Albany and southwest Georgia: Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, which anchors imaging for a large rural area.
- Athens and northeast Georgia: Piedmont Athens Regional and St. Mary's Health Care System.
Mobile mammography matters for rural access. Programs run by Grady, Northside, Augusta University, and Phoebe Putney bring certified screening to churches, community centers, and health fairs in counties without a fixed imaging center. Unlike some other cancer screenings, there is no at-home mammogram, so these mobile units are often the practical way to get screened close to home.
Dense Breasts and Supplemental Imaging
If your mammogram report says your breast tissue is dense, that means the tissue can hide cancers on a standard mammogram and is itself a risk factor. Georgia law requires that you be told when your breasts are dense so you can talk with your doctor about whether extra imaging makes sense.
Two supplemental exams come up most often:
- Breast ultrasound is sometimes added for women with dense tissue or to evaluate a specific finding. It is covered when medically necessary, but it is not a $0 preventive screening, so the standard 20% coinsurance applies after the Part B deductible.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Breast MRI is used for women at high risk, such as those with a known genetic risk or a strong family history of breast cancer (as estimated by risk tools like the Tyrer-Cuzick model). It is also covered when medically necessary, with the standard 20% coinsurance after the deductible.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
If your family history is strong, ask your doctor whether genetic counseling or high-risk MRI screening is appropriate for you.
Common Cost Surprises to Avoid
- The screening-to-diagnostic callback. If your free screening finds something that needs another look, the follow-up is a diagnostic mammogram with 20% coinsurance after the deductible. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong, but the bill can be a surprise. Ask ahead of time so you are not caught off guard.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
- Being screened too early. Because Medicare uses the 11-month rule, scheduling your annual exam a few weeks before the 12-month mark can lead to a denied claim. When in doubt, schedule in the same month as last year or later.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
- Medicare Advantage network rules. With a Medicare Advantage plan, going out of network can raise your cost even for a screening. Confirm the facility is in network before you book.
- Supplemental imaging. A breast ultrasound or MRI is not the same as the free screening mammogram. Expect the standard 20% coinsurance for those exams.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- After breast cancer. Once you have been treated for breast cancer, your imaging is surveillance, not screening, and is billed accordingly. Ask your care team how your follow-up mammograms will be coded.
Where to Get Help
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a screening mammogram cost on Medicare in Georgia?
Nothing. Medicare covers one screening mammogram every 12 months at $0 for women age 40 and older, with no deductible and no coinsurance, as long as the provider accepts Medicare assignment.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
At what age does Medicare mammography coverage start?
Medicare covers annual screening mammograms for women age 40 and older. Women age 35 to 39 who are on Medicare (usually through a disability) get one baseline screening mammogram.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Is there an upper age limit for screening mammograms?
No. Medicare has no upper age limit, so annual screening stays covered regardless of age. Whether to continue is a decision to make with your doctor based on your overall health.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Does Medicare cover 3D mammograms (DBT)?
Yes. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT, or 3D mammography) is covered, and when it is part of a screening it is also $0 to you.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Why did I get a bill after my "free" mammogram?
The most common reason is a callback for additional imaging, which becomes a diagnostic mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms are not free: you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible in 2026.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
How often will Medicare pay for a screening mammogram?
Once every 12 months for women 40 and older. Medicare pays for the next one after at least 11 months have passed following the month of your last screening.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Does Medicare cover breast ultrasound or MRI?
Yes, when they are medically necessary, such as for dense breast tissue or high-risk screening. Unlike the screening mammogram, these carry the standard 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
Do I have to use a specific facility?
You can use any facility that is certified under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and accepts Medicare. Under a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to stay in your plan's network.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Mammograms - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms
Does Medicare Advantage cover mammograms?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least the same screening mammography benefit as Original Medicare, though network rules may apply.
Where can I get free help in Georgia?
Call GeorgiaCares SHIP at 1-866-552-4464 for free, unbiased Medicare counseling.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Administration for Community Living — State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). acl.gov. Retrieved Jul 30, 2026, from https://acl.gov/programs/connecting-people-services/state-health-insurance-assistance-program-ship
Learn More
Find personalized help understanding your Medicare mammography coverage in Georgia at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.