Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover lung cancer screening?
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Short answer
Covered: Part B
Yes, Medicare Part B covers lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (a CT scan) once a year if you're 50 to 77, have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, are a current smoker or quit smoking within the last 15 years, have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years, and get an order from your provider.
You pay nothing for a Medicare Part B lung cancer screening if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment.
Before your first Medicare-covered lung cancer screening, Medicare requires an appointment with your provider to discuss the benefits and risks and decide whether a screening is right for you.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Test covered | Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan, covered by Part B | Medicare.gov |
| Age | 50 to 77 | Medicare.gov |
| Smoking history | At least 20 pack-years, and you're a current smoker or quit smoking within the last 15 years | Medicare.gov |
| Symptoms | You must have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer | Medicare.gov |
| Before your first screening | An appointment with your provider to discuss benefits and risks, and an order | Medicare.gov |
| How often | Once a year | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay | Nothing if your provider accepts assignment | Medicare.gov |
Who qualifies for Medicare lung cancer screening?
Medicare Part B covers lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (a CT scan) if you meet all of these conditions:
- You're between 50 and 77.
- You don't have signs or symptoms of lung cancer (you're asymptomatic).
- You're a current smoker, or you quit smoking within the last 15 years.
- You have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years, which Medicare.gov explains as an average of one pack (20 cigarettes) a day for 20 years.
- You get an order from your health care provider.
What do I need to do before my first screening?
Before your first lung cancer screening, you'll need to schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss the benefits and risks of screening and decide whether a screening is right for you. Lung cancer screenings check for early signs of lung cancer in adults who are at risk of getting the disease.
How often does Medicare cover lung cancer screening?
Medicare Part B covers lung cancer screening once a year if you're eligible under the conditions above.
What do I pay for lung cancer screening with Medicare?
You pay nothing for a lung cancer screening if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment, which means the provider agrees to accept the payment amount Medicare approves for the service and not to bill you for more than the Medicare deductible and coinsurance. What you owe can also depend on other insurance you have, how much your doctor charges and the type of facility, so ask your provider what the screening will cost.
Does Medicare help me quit smoking?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers counseling to help you stop smoking or using tobacco, up to 8 counseling sessions in a 12-month period, and you pay nothing if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment.
Does Medicare Advantage change lung cancer screening coverage?
Medicare Advantage plans must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, but a plan may have different rules, like using doctors in the plan's network or getting approval before certain services, and costs vary by plan. See how Medicare Advantage differs from Original Medicare.
Good to know
More questions people ask
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Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Lung cancer screenings
- Medicare.gov: Counseling to prevent tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease
- Medicare.gov: What Part B covers
- Medicare.gov: Parts of Medicare
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.