Mammography (Mammogram)

Main Line Health recommends all women begin annual screening with mammography at age 40. Higher risk women (e.g., those with genetic abnormalities, strong family history and/or personal risk factors) should discuss with their physician whether additional screening studies or starting screening earlier would be beneficial. Annual screening should continue into later years as long as a woman is in good health.

In most cases, women age 40 and older who are not experiencing symptoms can schedule an annual screening mammogram without a prescription, referral or order from their health care provider. If you have Keystone First or Keystone First VIP insurance, you must obtain a prescription or order from your health care provider before your mammogram appointment and bring it with you. Without a prescription, your appointment may need to be canceled or rescheduled.

Yes. Diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI require a prescription from your health care provider.

No. If you don't have a health care provider, a Main Line Health primary care provider will receive the results of your screening. If you do have a health care provider, please confirm their name at the time of your screening so we may send them the results of your screening.

All mammograms are read by board-certified radiologists who have additional certification by the American College of Radiology (ACR) specifically for mammography. If you have an abnormal diagnosis or a new breast lump, you will be seen as soon as 48 hours by a Main Line Health breast specialist at one of five locations across the region. At this appointment, the specialist will determine whether you need a breast biopsy and the best biopsy approach.

A mammogram is covered by some insurance providers, but not by others. Please check with your insurance company to find out whether this service is covered by your plan. If your insurance does not cover one, you may choose to pay for the service out-of-pocket.

The language of health care can be confusing at times — and that's the last thing you need when you're trying to manage your well-being.

• Screening mammograms are for women age 40 or over or high-risk women over age 25. Women over age 40 do not need a referral from their health care clinician unless they have Keystone First or Keystone First VIP insurance. If you don’t have a health care clinician, a Main Line Health primary care clinician will receive and review the results of your screening. Additional testing, if needed, will be scheduled for a separate appointment.
• Diagnostic mammograms are for women of any age with symptoms or an abnormality seen on screening that needs additional evaluation. Results are available quickly and additional testing, if needed, may be done at the time of the appointment. A breast specialist will meet with you as soon as 48 hours to discuss next steps, including a possible biopsy.

COVID-19 vaccines may lead to temporary swelling in the lymph nodes, which may make your breast screening more difficult to interpret. For the most accurate test results possible and to avoid unnecessary follow-up studies, Main Line Health recommends scheduling your screening mammogram before you receive your first dose or wait until four to six weeks after receiving your second dose.

For diagnostic mammograms, keep your regularly scheduled appointment.