The Susan G. Komen voucher pilot program closed in the limited communities it was available in November 2023. Komen navigators continue to provide educational, practical, and emotional support to individuals seeking breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. Contact Komen’s free Helpline at 1-877-GO-KOMEN to speak to a trained navigator today.
An annual screening mammogram is the best tool to detect breast cancer early. But the tool is most effective when women get a mammogram every year. Currently, only about 2/3 (64%) of U.S. women with health insurance get a mammogram each year. That statistic is much lower for women who are uninsured or underinsured: the national average is 29%.
Most women with health insurance can receive a screening mammogram each year at no cost to them beginning at age 40 as a result of the Affordable Care Act and the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act. There are federal programs for uninsured and underinsured women that offer mammograms at low-or-no cost to them, and for women who must pay for a mammogram, that’s where Susan G. Komen can help.
Komen’s Screening and Diagnostic program provides income-eligible individuals with a voucher to receive mammograms and breast cancer diagnostic testing at no cost to them, so they don’t have to choose between buying food or getting a breast cancer screening or diagnostic exam. That should never be a choice anyone has to make.
Diagnostic imaging is necessary when a screening mammogram reveals an abnormality, and a more detailed look is needed. These tests are not always fully covered by insurance, and individuals could pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for these tests. Komen’s Screening and Diagnostic program provides vouchers for this additional imaging. It doesn’t do anyone any good to know if something suspicious was found in an annual screening mammogram if cost prevents a person from getting the tests necessary to complete the process.
Anyone needing help accessing a breast cancer screening mammogram or diagnostic test can reach out to Komen’s Breast Care Helpline for support at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or helpline@komen.org.
Everyone should be able to access the tests they need for their breast care. Regardless of income, people can contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline to get answers to questions about breast cancer screening and diagnostics, emotional support if they are experiencing anxiety over testing and help identifying programs available to alleviate some costs of their care. Don’t put off screening or additional testing because of cost. Your life and your health are too important.
Call 1-877 GO KOMEN or email helpline@komen.org. Trained professionals are ready to help, and services are offered in English and Spanish.
