July 26, 2024
Annual screening for lung cancer in your patients who have a history of smoking can detect cancer early when it may be simpler to treat. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in high-risk adults.
Screening Recommendations
According to the USPSTF, people are considered “high risk” and should have a screening if they:
- Are 50 to 80 years old
- Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, and so on)
- Are a current smoker
- Have quit smoking within the past 15 years
Screening can be discontinued once a person hasn’t smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that limits life expectancy or the ability to have lung surgery. See our Preventive Care Guidelines.
Why Is Lung Cancer Screening Important?
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Often, there aren’t any symptoms for the disease until it spreads. By encouraging members to have a yearly screening, you may help them detect cancer early.
How You Can Help
- Talk with our members about lung cancer risk factors and the importance of regular screening
- Encourage high-risk members to get screened
- Properly code smoking status to help us identify eligible members for outreach by our case managers
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.