Rhode Island
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
No racial disparities were found in Rhode Island for these lung cancer metrics.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 69 and significantly higher than the national rate of 58.
- Rhode Island ranks 43rd among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 15%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Rhode Island is 28%, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 2nd among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Rhode Island improved by 21%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 27% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 5th among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in Rhode Island improved by 37%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Rhode Island ranked 2nd (out of the 49 states with available data) with 28% 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 Rhode Island in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Rhode Island did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- Rhode Island ranked 2nd (out of the 49 states with available data) with 15% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 21% and puts Rhode Island in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Rhode Island did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In Rhode Island, 6% of those at high risk were screened, which was not significantly different than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 26th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island is 13% and significantly lower than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 10th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Radon:
- In Rhode Island, 21% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 22nd among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 61 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in Rhode Island, not significantly different than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 73 among whites in Rhode Island.
- The five-year survival rate is 31% among Black Americans in Rhode Island, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in Rhode Island.
- 30% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black Americans in Rhode Island, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in Rhode Island.
- 30% of Black Americans with lung cancer in Rhode Island underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 17% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 29% among whites in Rhode Island.
- 12% of Black Americans with lung cancer in Rhode Island did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 23% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 15% among whites in Rhode Island.
Latino Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 31 per 100,000 population among Latinos in Rhode Island, not significantly different than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 73 among whites in Rhode Island.
- 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.
- 25% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in Rhode Island, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in Rhode Island.
- 24% of Latinos with lung cancer in Rhode Island underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 29% among whites in Rhode Island.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Latino Americans in Rhode Island 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 32 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Rhode Island, not significantly different than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 73 among whites in Rhode Island.
- 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 Rhode Island due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Indigenous Peoples:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Rhode Island due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in Rhode Island falling into the above 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.
Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island falls into the top 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.