Vermont
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
No racial disparities were found in Vermont for these lung cancer metrics.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 61 and significantly higher than the national rate of 58.
- Vermont ranks 28th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 14%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Vermont is 26%, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 10th among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Vermont improved by 17%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 26% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 12th 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 Vermont improved by 35%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Vermont ranked 26th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 19% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is not significantly different than the national rate of 20.7% and puts Vermont in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Vermont did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- Vermont ranked 35th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 23% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is not significantly different than the national rate of 21% and puts Vermont in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Vermont did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In Vermont, 10% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 7th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- Vermont 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, it did require prior authorization and cost sharing.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in Vermont is 15% and not significantly different than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 20th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Radon:
- In Vermont, 22% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 24th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Black Americans in Vermont due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Latino Americans:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Latino Americans in Vermont due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Vermont 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 Vermont due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in Vermont 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.
Vermont 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.
Vermont 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.