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 legislation status map as of may 2025


Biomarker testing coverage for all state-regulated plans: AZ, CA, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, NM, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, TX 
Biomarker testing coverage for some plans: AR, CO, CT, FL, LA
Legislation introduced in 2025: CT, DE, HI, MA, ME, NE, NH, NC, NV, 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. ***Connecticut law applies to Medicaid. 
Effective dates vary.
Last updated May 2025.

 

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 9, 2025
Connecticut

Leading public health group urges Senate and Gov. Lamont to follow suit in ensuring biomarker testing can benefit more Connecticut patients

May 9, 2025
Connecticut

Leading public health group urges Senate and Gov. Lamont to follow suit in ensuring biomarker testing can benefit more Connecticut patients

April 11, 2025
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. - More than 50 cancer advocates, including patients, survivors and caregivers from around North Carolina will travel to the General Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, to meet with lawmakers and ask for their support of House Bill 567 to increase access to biomarker testing. When someone

April 8, 2025
Maryland

Maryland state lawmakers have released details on the agreed upon 2025-26 budget—the contents of which are a mixed bag in the fight against cancer. While the state made sound investments in cancer research and protected Medicaid recipients’ ability to access biomarker testing, it missed an opportunity to save the lives and lungs of Maryland’s youth by cutting funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

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.