If you’re at high risk, regular screening can make all the difference in early detection of lung cancer. The American Cancer Society now recommends yearly screening for everyone with a 20-pack-year history, regardless of how long it’s been since they quit smoking. That translates to smoking one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years, and so on. They also suggest that people ask their health care professional about screening if they’re between the ages of 50 and 80 and smoke now or have a smoking history.

These expanded guidelines should help increase the number of people getting screened for lung cancer. Fortunately, the lung cancer screening process is quick and painless. You lie on a table while a radiologist uses X-rays to scan your lungs. The machine uses low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), which takes pictures to check for abnormalities and lung nodules.

Sometimes, the hardest part of lung cancer screening is paying for it. All Medicare, most Medicaid, and private insurance carriers are required to cover the cost for those who meet the eligibility criteria. However, you may feel screening is necessary if you have other risk factors or symptoms of lung cancer. In addition, if you don’t have health insurance, you can try accessing some of the following resources to help pay for screening instead.

1. Search for a Nearby Health Center Program

There are more than 15,000 health centers located across the United States. These community facilities and mobile sites provide various medical services, including cancer screenings. The charge for care is based on your income and family size. Health centers never turn people away because they don’t have an insurance plan or can’t afford to pay.

Some programs even help with transportation if you need help getting to the site. They provide translation services for people who don’t speak English. You can find your nearest health center by searching online. If they don’t offer a lung cancer screening program specifically, they may be able to connect you with another community resource that does.

2. Try Color Health’s Lung Screening Access Program

A convenient way to find low-cost lung cancer screening is through Color, a health access program partnered with the American Cancer Society. Color says its mission is to “deliver integrated care that removes the logistical, technological, financial, and cultural barriers that accompany traditional healthcare delivery.”

To get started, you can complete the interactive prescreening tool on Color Health’s website to determine if you’re a good candidate for LDCT. If so, a care advocate can search for your nearest imaging center to get screened.

For people who don’t have insurance, Color tries to find lower-cost or free screening centers. Once you finish your screening, Color will contact you to review your results. They may also help connect you with a health care provider for ongoing follow-up and care, such as a lung biopsy or further testing if needed.

3. Ask About Financial Assistance

Before assuming lung cancer screening is out of your price range, contact the billing department at your nearest facility. You can find a screening location by searching the American College of Radiation’s Locator Tool. They’ll provide the facility’s phone number so you can call to ask if they have any discount programs for lung cancer screening.

Many health care facilities offer lower-cost screenings for people without insurance. It never hurts to ask. If you can’t get a discounted rate, you may be able to pay in installments.

Lung cancer screening can improve your chances of early detection and success with treatment if an issue is discovered. You shouldn’t let the cost hold you back if you and your health care provider feel you would benefit from screening.

4. Seek Resources in Your Local Community

Free health screenings may be happening right in your neighborhood. If you have any large university hospitals or community centers, pay attention to upcoming health fairs and other events. Senior centers, YMCAs, the Veterans Association, and religious and cultural organizations are just some of the places where free health screenings may be offered.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if they’re aware of any resources nearby. You might be surprised to find that access to basic screenings isn’t as hard to find as you thought.

5. Consider a Clinical Trial (If You Have Lung Cancer)

Lung cancer screenings aren’t just for those with no history of lung cancer. They’re also a critical monitoring tool during lung cancer treatment and remission. Several members of MyLungCancerTeam have shared their struggles with getting insurance to cover the cost of ongoing scans.

One member shared, “Today was an eye-opener. My insurance requires prior authorization for a lot of the blood work and certain codes used for positron emission tomography [PET] scans. … I’m priced out of treatment.”

Another wrote, “The thing bothering me most is a denial from my insurance company saying I can’t have a PET scan to see if I have come out of remission. Whoever filled out the paperwork when it was submitted said I needed it because I have a ‘bad belly.’ I developed gastroparesis since I went into remission, but that was not the reason for the scan. … We reapplied and are hoping for the best.”

Participating in a clinical trial is an opportunity to help advance lung cancer research while receiving free care, including screenings. You can find basic information about clinical trials through the National Cancer Institute. Share your interest with your oncology team to ask if they can recommend or refer you for any ongoing trials.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Is cost preventing you from getting a lung cancer screening test? If not, did you have to pay for a low-dose CT scan out of pocket, or did your insurance company cover it? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.