TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients had out-of-pocket costs for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023. These follow-up tests, including diagnostic mammogram, MRI, ultrasound or biopsy, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual has cancer. However, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them. While screening mammograms are free to most insured women starting at age 40, follow-up testing often results in out-of-pocket costs for patients. The new report shows Florida patients take on an average of 28% of the costs. Patients in the best-performing state, Delaware, pay an average of 9% of the costs.
ACS CAN is grateful to Sen. Lori Berman of Boynton Beach and Rep. Marie Woodson of Pembroke Pines for sponsoring HB 141 and SB 158, critical bills aiming to eliminate these costs and save lives.
“Nearly 24,000 women will get breast cancer in Florida in 2025,” said Susan Harbin, senior government relations director for ACS CAN in Florida. “Each one of these women deserves to have the tests they need, without cost barriers, so they can catch and treat cancer early, leading to better survival rates.”
Delaying or skipping follow-up diagnostic tests can result in later-stage cancer diagnoses and higher healthcare costs. In 2024, more than 1 million women were estimated to experience a delay in follow-up testing and imaging due to associated costs. The report also determined nearly 400,000 women were likely to skip future mammograms due to fear of out-of-pocket costs from follow-up diagnostic tests.