Idaho
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
Latino Americans in Idaho are least likely to be diagnosed early.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 49 and significantly lower than the national rate of 58.
- Idaho ranks 9th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 13%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Idaho is 23%, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 25th among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Idaho improved by 23%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 25% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 21st among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in Idaho improved by 40%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Idaho ranked 31st (out of the 49 states with available data) with 19% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 20.7% and puts Idaho in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Idaho did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- Idaho ranked 42nd (out of the 49 states with available data) with 25% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 21% and puts Idaho in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Idaho did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In Idaho, 8% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 15th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- Idaho was one of the 40 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of September 2021.
- In addition, their program used recommended guidelines for determining eligibility and did not require prior authorization or cost sharing.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in Idaho is 15% and not significantly different than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 21st among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Radon:
- In Idaho, 33% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 33rd among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Black Americans in Idaho due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Latino Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 33 per 100,000 population among Latinos in Idaho, not significantly different than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 50 among whites in Idaho.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Latino Americans at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino Americans is 19%, 13% lower than among white Americans.
- 17% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in Idaho, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 25% among whites in Idaho.
- 22% of Latinos with lung cancer in Idaho underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 19% among whites in Idaho.
- 21% of Latinos with lung cancer in Idaho did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 26% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 25% among whites in Idaho.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 43 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Idaho, not significantly different than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 50 among whites in Idaho.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders is 23%, 8% higher than among white Americans.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Idaho due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Indigenous Peoples:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 53 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Idaho, not significantly different than the rate of 41 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 50 among whites in Idaho.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Indigenous Peoples is 19%, 11% lower than among white Americans.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Idaho due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in Idaho falling into the average tier, the state still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.
Idaho has improved access to screening by covering it through its fee-for-service Medicaid program. The Lung Association encourages all states to cover lung cancer screening based on recommended guidelines across all fee-for-service and managed care plans without any financial or administrative barriers in their Medicaid programs.
It is alarming that Idaho falls into the below average tier for percent of patients not receiving any treatment. Some patients do refuse treatment, but issues such as fatalism and stigma can prevent eligible patients from accessing treatment that may save or extend their lives. All patients should work with their doctors to establish a treatment plan and goals.