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 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.
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2694 Wednesday, February 11, 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
Following today’s health-Medicaid budget hearing, more than a dozen cancer survivors and ACS CAN advocates gathered at the New York State Capitol to call on lawmakers to preserve access to biomarker testing, a priority shared by over 100 organizations statewide . Advocates also expressed hope that the one‑house and final budgets will include meaningful investments in cancer prevention and early detection.
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
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
Biomarker testing is becoming increasingly important for cancer care because it connects the right patient, to the right treatment, at the right time, however insurance coverage of testing varies widely.
ACS CAN conducted a survey of 315 oncology providers examining barriers providers face in performing recommended cancer biomarker testing. The survey found that providers face challenges such as lab turnaround time, patient concerns about out-of-pocket-costs, and insurance coverage of biomarker tests.