Mammogram Cost in San Diego, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a mammogram cost in San Diego, CA?
You could pay $79 or $369 for the same mammogram in San Diego, CA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 5 reporting hospitals is $102. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where mammogram costs vary in San Diego, CA
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
A screening mammogram is $0 - until a callback or a symptom re-codes it as diagnostic and the bills start.
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Cheapest Mammogram Providers in San Diego, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tri-City Medical Center | Oceanside, CA | $73 | -$29 |
| 2 | Paradise Valley Hospital | CA | $102 | +$0 |
| 3 | Sharp Memorial Hospital | San Diego, CA | $436 | +$334 |
| 4 | Vibra Hospital of San Diego, LLC | San Diego, CA | $1,454 | +$1,352 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Tri-City Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $73 - $29 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $102, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. Mammogram pricing splits along two axes: screening vs. diagnostic classification and facility type. Screening mammograms are covered at 100% under the ACA's preventive care mandate for most commercial plans, but a finding during screening that triggers additional views or a diagnostic repeat converts a $0 visit to a cost-sharing event. Hospital-based breast imaging centers add facility fees that freestanding imaging centers don't charge - typically 2–3× higher for the identical study.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $980, including Vibra Hospital of San Diego, LLC at $1,454, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $88 versus $1,454 inpatient (about 16.5× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$102 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$20 |
| Out-of-network provider | $224+ |
Frequently asked questions: mammogram costs in San Diego, CA
How much does a mammogram cost in San Diego, CA?
Across 5 San Diego, CA hospitals that publish prices, a mammogram ranges from $61 to $1,454, with a median of $102. Most facilities fall between $73 and $369. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a mammogram in San Diego, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our San Diego, CA data is Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego in San Diego at about $61. By metro, San Diego has the lowest median ($436). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is a mammogram so much cheaper at some San Diego, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 23.8× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In San Diego, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $102 versus a median negotiated rate of $44 - about 2.3× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a mammogram in San Diego, CA?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read your medical bill
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in San Diego, CA
Mammogram, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same mammogram - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this mammogram changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: Billed as preventive care - often covered at $0 under the ACA when you are average-risk and in-network.
Screening vs. diagnostic
Under the ACA, preventive services - including mammogram for average-risk adults - must be covered at $0 with no cost-sharing when performed in-network. The risk: A screening mammogram is covered at $0 under the ACA. If a finding requires additional views or ultrasound, it converts to a diagnostic mammogram and cost-sharing applies - the single most common mammogram billing surprise.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for mammogram before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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