Access to Biomarker Testing

Share

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 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,

May 6, 2026
Illinois

Illinois Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

May 6, 2026
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – Cancer advocates, patients, survivors and caregivers from around the state will gather at the General Assembly on Tuesday, May 12, to ask lawmakers to make cancer policy a priority for Cancer Action Day hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). They will

April 21, 2026
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – As North Carolina lawmakers begin the 2026 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges them to prioritize HB567 , legislation that will ease the burden of cancer on North Carolinians by increasing access to biomarker testing for those with state-regulated health

Access to Biomarker Testing Resources

Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine. However, coverage for guideline-recommended biomarker tests is not universal and can be a barrier to cancer patients accessing treatments that can lead to improved survival and quality of life.  

Cancer biomarker testing can lead to targeted therapy which can improve survival and quality of life by connecting patients to the most beneficial treatment for their disease.

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is a component of precision medicine that involves examining a patient’s inherited genes to detect variations that may impact the way a drug is broken down, absorbed and used within the body.