OBJECTIVES: Determine the factors influencing mammography prescription during physician office visits in the U.S and to also determine whether primary care physicians or gynecological practitioners have a higher likelihood of prescribing mammograms. The study will also examine the possible change in the likelihood of mammography prescription over time for different age groups during 2008-2010 as a result of the 2009 USPSTF screening recommendations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study uses data from National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The study sample consists of female patients >40 years, who had a physician office visit in the US during 2008-2010. Women with current diagnosis of breast cancer were excluded from the study. Logistic regressions were used for the analysis. RESULTS: Women visiting a physician for preventive care were approximately eight times more likely to be prescribed a mammogram (OR:7.916, 95%CI:4.697-13.340). Women residing in non-metropolitan statistical areas were less likely to be prescribed a mammogram (OR:0.461, 95%CI:0.238-0.893). Mammography prescription by physicians did not vary by race-ethnicity, insurance coverage, region of residence and time spent with the physician. As compared to primary care physicians, obstetrics and gynecologist were two times more likely to prescribe a mammogram (OR:2.713 95%CI:1.395-5.277). In the year 2008 and 2010, there were no statistically significant differences in mammography prescriptions across age groups. However in 2009, women aged 50-54 (OR:2.053 95%CI:1.061-3.975), 55-59 (OR:2.085 95%CI:1.063-4.089), 60-64 (OR:2.037 95%CI:1.100-3.775) and 70-74 (OR:2.511 95%CI:1.047-6.026) were two times more likely to get a mammography prescription as compared to 40-49 year old women. CONCLUSIONS: Physician specialty, nature of visit and residence in metropolitan statistical areas are important determinants of receiving a mammography prescription. In the year 2009 there was a fall in mammography prescription for 40-49 year old women as compared to older age groups, however this drop did not persist in 2010.