H.R. 6178: Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act

This bill, known as the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, aims to enhance the coverage of lung cancer screening and tobacco cessation counseling under Medicaid and other health programs. Here’s a breakdown of its key provisions:

1. Annual Lung Cancer Screening Coverage

The bill mandates that Medicaid programs must cover annual lung cancer screenings at no out-of-pocket cost for individuals recommended for screening according to guidelines set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The following changes will occur:

• It will amend the Social Security Act to include lung cancer screenings (specifically coded as (G)) as a covered benefit.
• There will be no cost-sharing required for these annual screenings.
• Managed care organizations participating in Medicaid will be required to provide this coverage without prior authorization.

2. Counseling and Pharmacotherapy for Tobacco Cessation

The bill expands Medicaid coverage for counseling and medication to help with tobacco cessation. Key aspects include:

• Removing restrictions that previously limited tobacco cessation support only to pregnant women, allowing all eligible Medicaid individuals access to these services.
• The requirement for coverage of counseling and medications related to cessation of tobacco use without prior authorization will be implemented for managed care organizations as well.

3. Coverage Under Medicare and Private Insurance

The bill also addresses lung cancer screening under Medicare and private insurance markets:

• For Medicare, it requires that annual lung cancer screenings will be covered without the need for prior authorization.
• Private health insurance plans will also be required to provide coverage for lung cancer screenings without imposing prior authorization requirements.

4. Education and Outreach Campaign

To increase awareness and accessibility of lung cancer screenings, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will conduct an educational campaign aimed at both individuals and healthcare providers. This includes:

• Informing about the importance of lung cancer screenings.
• Identifying at-risk populations that should receive screenings.

5. Funding for Outreach

The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support the education and outreach initiatives targeting lung cancer awareness.

6. Reporting Requirements

Within a year after the bill's enactment, a report will be required from the Comptroller General. This report will assess:

• The demographics of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer.
• The screening practices currently in use.
• Recommendations on improving access to lung cancer screenings, particularly among underrepresented groups like firefighters, veterans, and younger women.

Effective Dates

The amendments proposed will come into effect starting January 1, 2026, with specific provisions allowing states to comply based on their legislative schedules.

Relevant Companies

• ABT (Abbott Laboratories): This company produces diagnostic equipment, and an increase in lung cancer screenings may drive demand for diagnostic products used in screenings.
• MDT (Medtronic): As a leader in medical devices, they could see an increase in demand for related lung cancer treatment technologies and combine treatments as screenings increase.