Cancer Outcomes Among American Indian and Alaska Native Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare

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This multiyear cross-sectional study analyzed nationwide Medicare claims from 2016 through 2023 for beneficiaries with cancer enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare.
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In 2023, 123,597 American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries represented 0.5% of the traditional Medicare sample.
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American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries were more likely than the overall population to be younger than 65 years, qualify through disability or end-stage renal disease, and be dual eligible fo
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Cancer prevalence in 2023 was 10.8% among American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries, compared with 19.4% in the overall traditional Medicare population.
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In 2023, all-cause mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries with cancer was 12.4%, the highest rate across demographic categories, down from 12.7% in 2016.

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