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 june 2025


Biomarker testing coverage for all state-regulated plans: AZ, CA, CT, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, NE^, NM, NJ, NY, OK, PA, RI, TX 
Biomarker testing coverage for some plans: AR*, CO*, FL**, LA*
Legislation introduced in 2025: CT, DE, HI, MA, ME, 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. ^Nebraska law applies to a limited list of diseases and conditions
Effective dates vary.
Last updated June 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

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Pete’s Story

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Ruth’s Story

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Carla’s Story

 

Latest Updates

January 29, 2026
Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the Alzheimer’s Association and the Arthritis Foundation will join together on Tuesday, February 3, to host a news conference calling on lawmakers to pass legislation that would ensure appropriate coverage of biomarker testing. The news conference

January 29, 2026
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – Dozens of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates will come from across Mississippi to the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 4 for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day . They will urge state lawmakers to make cancer policy

January 28, 2026
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi House passed House Bill 565 Wednesday, paving the way for increased access to biomarker testing for patients across the Magnolia State. Biomarker testing is a key tool used by physicians to identify the most effective treatments for cancer and other diseases. “In

January 27, 2026
Hawaii

With the 2026 legislative session now underway in Hawai’i, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts to work with lawmakers on several initiatives which include defending Medicaid and expanding access to screenings for colorectal cancer for the state’s most vulnerable communities. ACS CAN is collaborating

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.