Free and Low-Cost Mammograms in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is also a good time to ask a practical question: where can you get a mammogram if cost is getting in the way?

At Mere Benefits, we help people understand their health insurance and find useful resources. That includes people with major medical insurance, people with limited-benefit coverage, and people without insurance.

Finding affordable mammograms can take some digging. After making calls and checking local programs, I found free and lower-cost screening options in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. This guide also includes resources in Texas and Arizona, plus ways to find help near you.

You do not have to wait for October to get screened. Many assistance programs operate beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and eligible preventive screening benefits are available year-round.

Does insurance cover a mammogram at $0?

Marketplace plans and most employer health plans generally cover eligible in-network screening mammograms without a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. You usually do not have to meet your deductible first.

Before scheduling, confirm that the imaging center is in your plan’s network and that you meet the plan’s age and screening-frequency requirements. HealthCare.gov explains the preventive screening benefit here.

Also, having limited-benefit coverage does not automatically qualify you as uninsured for a free program. Tell the program what coverage you have and let its staff determine eligibility.

Screening versus diagnostic mammograms: why it matters

A screening mammogram checks for breast cancer when you do not have symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram investigates a breast change or an abnormal screening result. It may involve extra images and other tests.

If you have a lump, nipple discharge, or another new breast change, tell the provider when scheduling. A routine screening special may not be the right appointment. Diagnostic imaging can have different insurance costs and assistance requirements.

The National Cancer Institute’s mammogram guide explains the difference.

Free and lower-cost mammograms in Northeast Florida

1. UF Health Jacksonville / Pink Ribbon Jax: free screening for eligible residents

UF Health’s breast imaging navigator confirmed the following requirements directly:

• Live in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, or St. Johns County
• Be uninsured
• Be at least 30 years old

The email I received did not list an income requirement. Ask the navigator to confirm all current requirements and appointment availability.

Contact Jennifer Deacon: Jennifer.Deacon@UFHealth.org

UF Health said a doctor’s order is not needed to schedule a screening mammogram through this option, but a current or past physician must be on file to receive the results. Be ready to provide that physician’s name, office location, and phone number. Ask how to submit your personal information securely.

2. Pink Ribbon Jax: additional help for uninsured or underinsured people

The UF Health option above is one specific pathway. Pink Ribbon Jax also offers a broader breast imaging resource program through healthcare partners.

Its website describes help with screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, breast MRIs, and biopsies for uninsured or underinsured people in Northeast Florida. Contact the organization to ask which pathway fits your circumstances.

Phone: 904-206-7737

Requirements can differ by provider. Pink Ribbon Jax’s general information calls for a physician’s order, while UF Health’s direct email said no order was needed to schedule its screening option. Follow the instructions for the program handling your appointment.

If you do not have a physician, Pink Ribbon Jax lists local clinics that may help connect you with care. This can be a useful starting point when the missing piece is an order or someone to receive your results.

3. Precision Imaging: $99 October screening quote

When I called Precision Imaging on October 5, 2026, I was quoted $99 for a screening mammogram during October, compared with a regular price of $240.

Scheduling: 904-996-8100 Website: Precision Imaging Centers

This was a phone quote. Before booking, confirm the promotional dates, participating locations, whether 3D imaging is included, and whether the price includes the radiologist’s interpretation. Also ask about order requirements and any separate fees.

4. Boutique Breast Imaging: $250 cash-pay screening quote

Boutique Breast Imaging quoted $250 for a cash-pay screening mammogram when I called on October 5, 2026. Staff said they were not offering an October special.

Address: 6871 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216 Phone: 904-901-0110 Website: Boutique Breast Imaging

Confirm what the quoted price includes. If you need financial assistance, ask whether a separate sponsored screening pathway is available; the regular cash price and a charity-funded appointment are different options.

5. Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

The Duval-area program offers free or low-cost screening for eligible women. Its published requirements include age 40 or older, uninsured or underinsured status, income eligibility, and residence in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, or St. Johns County.

Phone: 904-253-1610

When I called, staff explained that income could be evaluated monthly or annually and described the annual household income limit as 200% of the federal poverty level. The dollar limit depends on household size. Ask staff which income documents they need and how they evaluate your situation.

6. Baptist Buddy Bus at Center of Hope: October 23, 2026

The Buddy Bus will be at Center of Hope for scheduled mammogram appointments:

• Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Address: 1093 W. 6th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
• Registration deadline: October 16
• Register: Center of Hope Buddy Bus registration
• Questions: BuddyBus@bmcjax.com

Scheduled appointments only at this time.

Mammogram resources in Texas and Arizona

Other agents shared resource lists for their communities. Those lists show why it helps to look beyond one hospital or one screening event. State programs, nonprofits, and mobile providers may offer different paths to care.

Use the programs below as starting points. Confirm current funding and appointments directly rather than relying on an older event flyer.

Texas

Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Services. This state program provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer services to eligible women. Start with the Healthy Texas Women program page. Ask about a participating provider near your ZIP code and current eligibility. You can also call 2-1-1 for local resource referrals.

The Rose — Houston-area screening and assistance. The Rose has uninsured sponsorship programs that can help with screening and diagnostic services. Ask about eligibility and clinic or mobile appointments.

• Phone: 281-484-4708
• Website: The Rose’s uninsured programs · contact page

Arizona

Well Woman HealthCheck. Arizona’s program helps eligible uninsured or underinsured women access breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. The Arizona Department of Health Services screening page provides clinic resources, and Pima County publishes its own program details.

Check for a Lump. This nonprofit offers free screening mammograms to qualifying Arizona residents, including mobile events. Its website lists age 35 or older and uninsured or underinsured status with financial need among its requirements.

Availability note: when checked on October 6, 2026, the program page stated that screening capacity was full for 2026. Contact staff about updates, future availability, or alternative resources.

• Phone: 602-688-5232
• Website: Check for a Lump’s mammogram program

Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona. This organization supports free mammograms for women who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to afford screening. Ask about current screening access and eligibility through the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona website.

How to find a free or affordable mammogram near you

If you live outside these areas, try these steps:

1. Check your insurance first. If you have major medical coverage, ask about eligible $0 in-network screening before paying cash.
2. Contact your state or county health department. Ask for its breast and cervical cancer early detection program.
3. Look for local breast health nonprofits. Search “free mammograms” plus your city or county. Try “mammogram financial assistance” and “mobile mammography” too.
4. Call independent imaging centers. Ask about a complete self-pay screening price and any seasonal discounts.
5. Ask hospitals and community clinics about assistance. Ask specifically about sponsored breast imaging, charity care, or referrals.
6. Use national referral resources. The National Cancer Institute lists 1-800-422-6237 for cancer information and screening resources. 1-800-232-4636 is CDC-INFO, which can help you locate early detection programs. You can also try 2-1-1 for local referrals.

Questions to ask before booking

• Is this appointment for screening or diagnostic imaging?
• What is the total price, including the radiologist’s reading fee?
• Does the price include 3D mammography?
• Do I need a physician’s order or a physician on file?
• Is financial approval required before scheduling?
• What happens if I need additional imaging or a biopsy?
• How and when will I receive my results?

For insured patients, also ask whether both the facility and the interpreting provider are in-network.

Frequently asked questions

Are mammograms only free during October? No. Eligible preventive screenings under Marketplace and most employer plans are generally covered at $0 in-network year-round. Assistance programs may also operate year-round, depending on funding.

Can I get a free mammogram without insurance? Possibly. UF Health’s option, Pink Ribbon Jax, state early detection programs, and local nonprofits offer different paths. Eligibility may depend on age, residence, income, and the type of imaging needed.

What if I have insurance but it does not pay the whole cost? Ask the assistance program whether it serves underinsured people. Describe your coverage accurately. Having limited benefits does not guarantee approval or automatically count as being uninsured.

Do I need a doctor’s order? It depends on the facility and program. UF Health said no order was needed to schedule its screening option, but a physician must be on file for results. Other programs may require an order.

When should I start getting mammograms? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every two years for women ages 40 to 74 at average risk. Other organizations may recommend a different schedule. Discuss your personal and family history with your healthcare provider; higher-risk people may need earlier or more frequent screening.

Does a free screening include all follow-up testing? Not always. Ask about diagnostic imaging and biopsies before booking. Some programs fund follow-up services, while others require separate approval or referrals.

What if I have symptoms but cannot afford testing? Tell the provider or assistance program about the symptoms when you contact them. Ask specifically for diagnostic breast imaging assistance rather than booking a routine screening special.

Need help understanding your health insurance?

At Mere Benefits, we help you understand what your coverage pays for and compare options that fit your needs. Marketplace Open Enrollment begins November 1, and Medicare Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.

Call 904-654-5450 or get in touch with Mere Benefits to ask about next steps.

Have someone in mind who could use these resources? Share this guide with them.

---

Resource information reviewed October 6, 2026. Local self-pay prices and the Florida income explanation were reported from calls on October 5. The UF Health requirements came from its navigator’s direct email. Prices, funding, eligibility, and appointments can change. Confirm details with the provider. This guide is educational and does not replace medical advice or guarantee program approval.