Share this article and save a life!
Finally, breast cancer screening that doesn’t bankrupt you halfway through.
Here’s what just changed: As of January 2026, if your mammogram shows something suspicious, your follow-up ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy is now FREE under ACA plans.
No copays. No deductibles. No surprise bills.
🎯 Why this matters:
Before this change, women would get their free mammogram, only to face thousands in bills when they needed follow-up imaging. Many simply didn’t go back.
Imagine finding a potential issue, then having to choose between your mortgage payment and the MRI that could save your life.
That’s exactly what was happening to millions of women, especially those with dense breast tissue who routinely need additional screening.
The numbers are staggering:
• 40% of women have dense breast tissue
• Follow-up MRIs can cost $1,000 to $3,000
• Many women delayed or skipped follow-up care due to cost
This HRSA update also covers patient navigation services, connecting women to transportation, translation, and support to actually complete their screenings.
Here’s my take: This isn’t just about coverage, it’s about recognizing that cancer screening is a process, not a single test.
You can’t call something “preventive care” if you only cover half the prevention.
For FQHCs and safety-net providers, this removes a massive barrier. Your patients with commercial insurance now have the same follow-through access as those with comprehensive Medicaid.
For imaging centers, expect volume increases as women who previously declined follow-ups due to cost now complete their screening journeys.
The healthcare system finally acknowledged what we’ve known all along: incomplete screening is failed screening.
This change will save lives, period.
♻️ Repost if complete cancer screening should never require a financial decision
👉 Follow me, Jonathan Govette, for daily, real-time updates on healthcare technology and business news. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathangovette/
Share this article and save a life!
Author:
Jonathan Govette is a seasoned healthcare and technology executive with more than two decades of experience building, scaling, and advising digital health companies. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oatmeal Health, an AI-driven Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostics company focused on expanding access to early detection for underrepresented populations, particularly patients served by Federally Qualified Health Centers and value-based health plans.
With a background in engineering, product development, and strategic partnerships, Jonathan has founded and led multiple health technology ventures across clinical care delivery, regulated medical software, and AI-enabled diagnostics. His work sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and health equity, with a consistent focus on translating complex clinical problems into scalable, real-world solutions.
Jonathan has spent much of his professional life dedicated to improving outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities. He has designed and implemented frameworks that align clinical quality, reimbursement, and technology to sustainably advance health equity at scale. This mission is deeply personal and informs his leadership philosophy and long-term vision for healthcare transformation.
In addition to his operating experience, Jonathan is an author and long-time writer in the healthcare domain, with over 20 years of published work covering digital health, medical innovation, and healthcare systems. He is a frequent mentor to early-stage founders and regularly advises startups on product strategy, partnerships, and go-to-market execution in regulated healthcare environments.
Before entering industry full-time, Jonathan nearly pursued a career in medicine with an early path toward cardiothoracic surgery, an experience that continues to shape his clinical perspective and respect for frontline care delivery.
CEO | Oatmeal Health | AI Lung Cancer Startup | Engineer | Writer | Almost Became a Doctor (Cardiac Thoracic Surgeon) | 3x Health Tech Founder | Startup Mentor | Follow to share what I’ve learned along the way.
