Few hospitals referred callers for lung cancer screening

November 14, 2024

Source: Desantis, et al JAMA Network Open, October 31, 2024

Lung cancer remains the leading cancer killer among both men and women in the United States. The US Preventive Services Task Force has recommended low dose CT scans to screen those at high risk, those between ages 50 and 80 who smoked 20 or more pack years (the equivalent of 2 packs a day for 10 years unless they quit over 15 years ago). Lung cancers found early are far more likely to be cured.

About 15 million people are eligible for lung cancer screening, and many are covered by employer-sponsored health insurance. However, less than 10% of those eligible participate in screening each year. The American Lung Association estimates that 20% of premature lung cancer deaths could be prevented through screening, and there are 238,000 new cases of lung cancer per year.

Most people are referred for lung cancer screening by primary care physicians, but many people do not have a PCP. Researchers made telephone calls to 527 hospitals to seek an appointment for lung cancer screening and found that less than 10% of the hospitals (51 of 527) were able to connect callers to any component of the lung cancer screening process. Over half of the time, callers were told that they could not be screened without a primary care physician referral. This research was published in JAMA Network Open.

Implications for employers:

• Many people find it difficult to obtain a PCP in their community, and employers can help by offering virtual care options. They should be sure that virtual primary care practices will refer for low dose lung cancer screening, if appropriate.

• On-site clinics can also help ensure that employees are offered all recommended preventive care, although most do not serve spouses and dependents.

• Carriers should be sure that patients do not face cost sharing for this screening test, as it should be covered without cost sharing as recommended by the USPSTF.

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