Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Access to Mammography Services in Florida Is More Limited for Low-Income Women

Report 04-79, December 2004




Report Summary

  • This information brief shows that Florida's compliance with federal regulations governing mammography facilities is higher than the national average and the percentage of Florida women age 40 and older receiving mammograms compares favorably with national rates.
  • However, utilization of mammography services among low-income women is low partly because of limitations on accessibility to services. Factors that may be limiting access for low-income women include the cost of services and the need to identify a primary care provider.
  • The fear of medical malpractice lawsuits is causing many radiologists to limit the number of mammograms they interpret. However, we were unable to substantiate this concern because the necessary information is either not available, invalid, or inconclusive.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, elder abuse, mammography, mammography utilization, mammography accessiblity, mammography availablility, wait times, medical malpractice, insurance, benefits, lawsuits, breast cancer, breast imaging, MQSA, FDFA, radiation, medicare, medicaid, private insurance, adult protection, investigation, protective services, working agreement, health, disabled adults, vulnerable adults, adults, elder abuse, in-home services, Medicaid waiver, abuse, neglect, exploitation, backlog, protective services, waiting list, monitoring, optional state supplementation, screening, fee assessment