New Jersey
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
Black Americans in New Jersey are most likely to receive no treatment.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 55 and significantly lower than the national rate of 58.
- New Jersey ranks 15th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 7%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in New Jersey is 28%, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 5th among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in New Jersey improved by 18%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 26% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 15th among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in New Jersey improved by 45%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- New Jersey ranked 5th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 26% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 20.7% and puts New Jersey in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in New Jersey improved by 8%.
Lack of Treatment:
- New Jersey ranked 32nd (out of the 49 states with available data) with 22% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 21% and puts New Jersey in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in New Jersey did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In New Jersey, 3% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly lower than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 41st among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- New Jersey was one of the 40 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of September 2021.
- In addition, their program used recommended guidelines for determining eligibility and did not require prior authorization or cost sharing.
Prevention
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 54 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in New Jersey, significantly lower than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 61 among whites in New Jersey.
- The five-year survival rate is 20% among Black Americans in New Jersey, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 28% among whites in New Jersey.
- 20% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black Americans in New Jersey, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 18% of Black Americans with lung cancer in New Jersey underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 17% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 28% of Black Americans with lung cancer in New Jersey did not receive any treatment, significantly higher than the rate of 23% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 21% among whites in New Jersey.
Latino Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 32 per 100,000 population among Latinos in New Jersey, significantly higher than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 61 among whites in New Jersey.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Latino Americans at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino Americans is 19%, 13% lower than among white Americans.
- 22% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in New Jersey, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 26% of Latinos with lung cancer in New Jersey underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 24% of Latinos with lung cancer in New Jersey did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 26% among Latinos nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 21% among whites in New Jersey.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 26 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New Jersey, significantly lower than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 61 among whites in New Jersey.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders is 23%, 8% higher than among white Americans.
- 21% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New Jersey, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 28% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders with lung cancer in New Jersey underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 24% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 27% among whites in New Jersey.
- 22% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders with lung cancer in New Jersey did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 21% among whites in New Jersey.
Indigenous Peoples:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in New Jersey due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in New Jersey falling into the average tier, the state still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.
New Jersey has improved access to screening by covering it through its fee-for-service Medicaid program. The Lung Association encourages all states to cover lung cancer screening based on recommended guidelines across all fee-for-service and managed care plans without any financial or administrative barriers in their Medicaid programs.
New Jersey falls into the average tier for percent of patients not receiving any treatment. Some patients do refuse treatment, but issues such as fatalism and stigma can prevent eligible patients from accessing treatment that may save or extend their lives. All patients should work with their doctors to establish a treatment plan and goals.