Maine
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Covered
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 69.7 and significantly higher than the national rate of 54.6.
- Maine ranks 44th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases in Maine improved by 14%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Maine is 26.2%, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 26.6%.
- It ranks 19th among the 42 states with survival data, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Maine improved by 20%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 27.1% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 26.6%.
- It ranks 22nd among the 47 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 did not change significantly.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Maine ranked 8th (out of the 47 states with available data) with 23.7% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 20.8% 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 5th (out of the 47 states with available data) with 16.2% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 20.6% 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, 9.2% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 4.5%.
- It ranks 5th among all states, placing it in the top tier.
- Actual screening rates may be higher in states with large, regional managed care providers that did not share screening data.
Medicaid Coverage:
- Maine was one of the 49 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of October 2023.
- In addition, their program used recommended guidelines for determining eligibility and did not require prior authorization or copays.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in Maine is 15.6% and significantly higher than the national rate of 13.5%.
- It ranks 37th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Radon:
- In Maine, 36.5% 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 individuals:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 31.9 per 100,000 population among Black individuals in Maine, significantly lower than the rate of 56.3 among Black individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 70.1 among white individuals in Maine.
- Survival rates by race and ethnicity are not available for Maine at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Black individuals is 23.8%, 11% lower than among white Americans.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Black individuals in Maine due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Latino individuals:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Latino individuals 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 28.9 per 100,000 population among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals in Maine, not significantly different than the rate of 32.9 among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 70.1 among white individuals in Maine.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian or Pacific Islander individuals at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals is 28.6% and significantly higher than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Asian or Pacific Islander individuals 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 96.6 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Maine, significantly higher than the rate of 39.4 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 70.1 among white individuals 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 22.3% and not significantly different than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- 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.
The Lung Association encourages all states to cover lung cancer screening based on the latest 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 receiving no 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.