It's unfortunate that the small medical insurance copay cost of a mammogram is causing some women to forgo it. According to a recent study of Medicare customers, though, this is what is happening in many cases.

The $10 amount was the smallest amount found that would cause a woman (an older woman in most cases) to avoid the potentially life-saving test.

In the study, the mammogram screening rate was about eight percent lower when there was any type of customer payment involved when compared to those women having the test who have the entire cost provided for through full coverage insurance.

If you're 40 and have never had a mammogram, what's holding you back? For your health's sake, hopefully it's not a small, out-of-pocket expense.