Medicare Claims Reveal Cancer-Related Disparities Among American Indian and Alaska Native Beneficiaries

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In 2016-2023 traditional Medicare claims, American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries with cancer had higher all-cause mortality, more inpatient and emergency care, and greater per-person spending
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They had lower breast and colorectal cancer screening claim rates and used hospice less often near the end of life than the overall traditional Medicare population.
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Because Medicare claims do not identify cause of death, the approximately 2-fold mortality difference reflects all-cause mortality and cannot establish cancer-specific mortality.
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The article links disparities to chronic IHS underfunding, limited local specialty capacity, referral and travel barriers, and social determinants that affect screening and cancer care.
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The analysis also notes that beneficiaries differed in age, disability or end-stage kidney disease eligibility, and Medicaid dual eligibility, while national data may obscure tribal-specific condition

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