High Deductibles Discourage Follow-Up Testing After Abnormal Mammogram Results

A recent study found that 20% of women who receive abnormal results from a mammogram will not seek additional screening if their deductible is too high. 932 patients who received mammograms at Boston Medical Center were surveyed. The results showed that ~60% of respondents who had to pay a deductible would still go in for testing, while another 20% were undecided. Social determinants of health (SDoH) like low income, Hispanic ethnicity, and uninsured status were associated with decreased follow-up testing

According to AJMC staff, “The survey also asked whether respondents would forgo the initial screening mammography exam if they knew they would have to pay a deductible for follow-up tests. Of 707 respondents, 129 (18.3%) said they would skip the screening mammography exam, 465 (65.8%) would not skip mammography, and 113 (16.0%) were undecided.”

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(Source: AJMC, November 29^th, 2022)