Maine
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
No racial disparities were found in Maine for these lung cancer metrics.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 72 and significantly higher than the national rate of 58.
- Maine ranks 46th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases did not change significantly.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Maine is 23%, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 23rd among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Maine improved by 13%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 24% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 27th 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 Maine improved by 40%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Maine ranked 8th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 24% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 20.7% and puts Maine in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Maine did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- Maine ranked 6th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 17% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 21% and puts Maine in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Maine did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In Maine, 12% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 4th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- Maine was one of the 40 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of September 2021.
- While their program did not require prior authorization or cost sharing, it did not use recommended guidelines for determining eligibility.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in Maine is 18% and significantly higher than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 34th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Radon:
- In Maine, 37% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 37th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 52 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in Maine, not significantly different than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 72 among whites in Maine.
- Survival rates by race and ethnicity are not available for Maine at this time.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Black Americans in Maine 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 Maine, not significantly different than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 72 among whites in Maine.
- 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.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Latino Americans in Maine due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 28 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Maine, not significantly different than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 72 among whites in Maine.
- 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 Maine due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Indigenous Peoples:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 95 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Maine, significantly higher than the rate of 41 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 72 among whites in Maine.
- 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 Maine due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in Maine 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.
Maine 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.
Maine falls into the above 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.