Analysis of Out-of-Pocket Cost of Lung Cancer Screening for Uninsured Patients Among ACR-Accredited Imaging Centers

Purpose To determine the variability in out-of-pocket costs of lung cancer screening (LCS) for uninsured patients and assess accessibility of this information by telephone or Internet. Methods LCS centers from the ACR’s LCS database were randomly selected. Centers were called between July and August 2019 to determine out-of-pocket cost. Telephone call variables, accessibility of cost information on screening centers’ websites, screening centers’ chargemasters, and publicly available facility and state insurance coverage variables were obtained. Cost information was summarized using descriptive analyses. Multiple variable linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate effects of facility and state-level characteristics on out-of-pocket costs. Results Fifty-five ACR-accredited LCS centers were included with 78% (43 of 55) willing to provide out-of-pocket cost. Average out-of-pocket cost was $583 ± $607 (mean ± standard deviation), range $49 to $2,409. Average telephone call length 6 ± 3.8 min. Two of fifty-five screening centers’ websites provided out-of-pocket cost information, and one matched cost given over the telephone. A chargemaster was found for 30 of 55 screening centers. No statistically significant differences in out-of-pocket costs were found by geographic region, state percentages of uninsured residents, state percentages of residents with public insurance, or facility safety net hospital affiliation. Discussion Out-of-pocket LCS costs for uninsured patients and availability of this information is highly variable. Radiology practices should be aware of this variability that may influence participation rates among uninsured patients.