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, 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.
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
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,
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
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.