Access to Biomarker Testing

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Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine.

Biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient, but not all communities are benefitting from the latest advancements in biomarker testing and precision medicine.


Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine. Biomarker testing is an important step for accessing precision medicine including targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. But without action to expand coverage of and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing disparities in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography.

ACS CAN is working to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. 

BIomarker Map updated Mar 2026

 

Biomarker testing coverage for all state-regulated plans: AZ, CA, CT, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, MS, NE^, NM, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, TX 
Biomarker testing coverage for some plans: AR*, CO*, FL**, LA*
Legislation introduced in 2026: DE, HI, MA, ME, NH, NC, OH, TN, VT, WA

*Arkansas, Colorado and Louisiana laws apply to state-regulated private plans  **Florida law applies to Medicaid and state employee health plan. ^Nebraska law applies to a limited list of diseases and conditions

Effective dates vary.
Last updated March 2026.

 

Biomarker testing helps ensure cancer patients get the right treatment at the right time.

It allows doctors to precisely target a specific cancer so patients may not have to undergo more generalized treatments like chemo and radiation that may not work as well for them.

Patient and Provider Stories

Heather

Heather’s Story

Pete

Pete’s Story

Ruth

Ruth’s Story

Carla

Carla’s Story

 

Latest Updates

May 18, 2026

Late Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for plan year 2027. In March, the American Cancer Society Cancer

May 12, 2026
Ohio

Cancer Advocates Gathered at the Statehouse Today to Say Ohio Can and Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

May 12, 2026
North Carolina

Visual Elements Available for Download: B-roll Soundbite with Ashley Fannin RALEIGH, N.C. – More than 50 cancer advocates, patients, survivors and caregivers from around the state gathered at the General Assembly on Tuesday, May 12 to ask lawmakers to make cancer policy a priority

May 8, 2026
Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 0484 into law Friday, thereby increasing access to biomarker testing for Tennesseans enrolled in state employee health insurance plans and TennCare. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) thanks lawmakers for their support of the bill,

Access to Biomarker Testing Resources

LUNGevity and ACS CAN partnered with Bruce Quinn Associates to develop materials to engage hospitals on pathologist-initiated biomarker testing, providing an overview of the MolDx clarification on CMS "treating physician" guidance.

The nation’s drug shortage crisis continues to affect cancer patients and survivors with 1 in every 10 (10%) reporting impacts to care, a majority of whom have had difficulties finding substitute medications (68%) and cited treatment delays (45%).

Our latest Survivor Views survey sees increases in biomarker testing since the question was last asked three years ago along with reduced cost and coverage barriers in that time. Cancer patients and survivors describe the benefits and overwhelmingly agree biomarker testing gave their providers information that improved their treatment.