Is lung cancer screening covered by insurance?
Yearly low-dose CT for people with a significant smoking history. Here’s how each kind of plan usually handles it.
- Employer or MarketplaceUsually covered
Yes, annual low-dose CT is usually covered at $0 if you meet criteria.
More details
Screening is recommended yearly for adults 50–80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years.
Cost: $0 in network when it qualifies as preventive; follow-up or diagnostic work can have normal cost sharing.
- Original MedicareUsually covered
Yes, Medicare covers yearly lung cancer screening at $0 if you qualify.
More details
covers it for ages 50–77 with a 20 pack-year history who smoke now or quit within 15 years, after a counseling and shared decision-making visit.
- Medicare AdvantageUsually covered
Yes, Medicare covers yearly lung cancer screening at $0 if you qualify.
More details
covers it for ages 50–77 with a 20 pack-year history who smoke now or quit within 15 years, after a counseling and shared decision-making visit. plans must cover Medicare’s preventive services at $0 when you use an in-network provider.
Cost: $0 in network for the preventive service; follow-up care can have your plan’s copays.
- MedicaidCovered with conditions
Usually covered when you meet criteria.
More details
Most states cover lung cancer screening; check your state’s requirements.
What usually has to be true
- You must be in the age range and have smoked enough to qualify.
- A shared decision-making visit may be required first.
Good to know
- A follow-up diagnostic CT for a nodule is usually not $0.
Related
- CT scan · Computed tomography (CAT scan) imaging.
- Quit smoking programs · Counseling and medication to stop using tobacco.
Sources
Typical rules for 2026 plans, checked against these sources on October 20, 2026. Your plan’s own documents decide.
- 1USPSTF A and B recommendations
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Services rated A or B by the Task Force, such as specified cancer screenings, PrEP for HIV prevention, and statin use for certain adults, generally must be covered without cost sharing by non-grandfathered plans.
- 2Preventive care benefits for adults
HealthCare.gov
Covered adult preventive services include blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, depression, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis, and lung cancer screenings, immunizations, PrEP for HIV prevention, tobacco-cessation interventions, and obesity counseling, when criteria are met.
- 3Lung cancer screenings
Medicare.gov
Part B covers yearly low-dose CT lung cancer screening for people 50–77 who meet smoking-history criteria and have a counseling visit, at no cost.
- 4Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare.gov
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers (except hospice, which Original Medicare continues to pay), usually use provider networks, often require referrals or prior authorization, and may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing.
- 5Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits
Medicaid.gov
States must cover mandatory benefits such as inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, laboratory and X-ray services, home health, and nursing facility care; many other benefits, including adult dental, vision, and prescription drugs coverage details, are state options.
General information about how coverage usually works, not a decision about your plan. Your plan documents and insurer have the final word.