New York
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
Black Americans in New York are least likely to be diagnosed early.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 58 and significantly higher than the national rate of 58.
- New York ranks 26th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 3%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in New York is 28%, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 3rd among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in New York improved by 14%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 28% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 4th among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in New York improved by 39%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- New York ranked 2nd (out of the 49 states with available data) with 29% 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 New York in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in New York improved by 11%.
Lack of Treatment:
- New York ranked 28th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 20% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 21% and puts New York in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in New York improved by 12%.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In New York, 6.2% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 5.7%.
- It ranks 29th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- New York was one of the 40 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of September 2021.
- While their program used recommended guidelines for determining eligibility and did not require cost sharing, it did require prior authorization.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in New York is 13% and significantly lower than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 6th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Radon:
- In New York, 14% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 15th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 49 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in New York, significantly lower than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 66 among whites in New York.
- The five-year survival rate is 22% among Black Americans in New York, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 29% among whites in New York.
- 23% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black Americans in New York, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 29% among whites in New York.
- 24% of Black Americans with lung cancer in New York underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 17% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 28% among whites in New York.
- 24% of Black Americans with lung cancer in New York did not receive any treatment, significantly higher than the rate of 23% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 20% among whites in New York.
Latino Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 35 per 100,000 population among Latinos in New York, significantly higher than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 66 among whites in New York.
- 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.
- 26% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in New York, significantly higher than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 29% among whites in New York.
- 28% of Latinos with lung cancer in New York underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in New York.
- 22% of Latinos with lung cancer in New York did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 26% among Latinos nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 20% among whites in New York.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 44 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New York, significantly higher than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 66 among whites in New York.
- 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.
- 29% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New York, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 29% among whites in New York.
- 40% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders with lung cancer in New York underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 24% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 28% among whites in New York.
- 16% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders with lung cancer in New York did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 22% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 20% among whites in New York.
Indigenous Peoples:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 16 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in New York, significantly lower than the rate of 41 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 66 among whites in New York.
- 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.
- 24% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in New York, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 29% among whites in New York.
- 24% of Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) with lung cancer in New York underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 17% among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in New York.
- 22% of Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) with lung cancer in New York did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 23% among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 20% among whites in New York.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in New York falling into the top 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.
New York 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.
New York falls into the 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.