If you meet the following criteria, you are considered to be at "high risk" for developing lung cancer and screening is recommended:
- 50-80 years of age
- Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc.)
- AND, currently smoke, or have quit within the last 15 years
At this time, there is not enough evidence to show that screening is recommended for other groups.
Use our interactive online tool to find out if lung cancer screening is recommended for you.
Use our interactive online tool to determine if lung cancer screening is recommended for you.
A note on insurance coverage:
Medicare and many private health insurance plans cover lung cancer screening without cost-sharing, but eligibility criteria vary based on type of plan you have and many plans are currently updating their criteria to match new guidelines. Check out our coverage chart to learn more.
Be sure to check with your insurance plan for screening coverage and for any additional procedures—there may be other costs associated even if the actual screening is free. Visit the Lung Cancer Screening Insurance Checklist for questions to ask your insurance provider.