Lung Cancer Screening in New Jersey
A Safe, Simple Test Could Save Your Life
As New Jersey’s leading provider of comprehensive cancer care, we offer low-dose CT (LDCT) screening — a safe, painless test that only takes a few minutes and can detect lung cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Explore our list of lung cancer screening locations to find a screening location near you and learn what to expect before your visit.
What is a Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Lung Screening
Thanks to advances in technology, it’s easier than ever to catch lung cancer early. Our low-dose spiral CT scan is a quick, painless procedure that creates detailed pictures of your lungs. Using these 3D images, doctors can see even the smallest tumors or lesions, often years before symptoms appear.
Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer?
Low-dose CT lung screenings aren’t for everyone. According to lung cancer screening guidelines, you may qualify if you:
- Are between the ages of 50 and 80
- Currently smoke or quit smoking within the past 15 years
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (for example, you smoked one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years)
Lung Cancer Screening Locations in New Jersey
Hackensack Meridian Health offers lung cancer screenings at several convenient locations across New Jersey. Remember, a doctor’s order is required to schedule a scan. If you have an order, call 848-245-8011 to schedule.
If you don’t yet have an order please reach out to your primary care provider to help you take the next steps.
What to Expect During a Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Lung Screening?
A low-dose CT scan creates detailed 3D images of your lungs that can reveal even the smallest changes — often years before symptoms appear. It’s quick, painless, and uses a much lower dose of radiation than a standard CT scan. If you have an order from your doctor, you can call one of our locations to schedule your screening.
Before Your Scan
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re feeling sick. You may be asked to reschedule your screening.
- Bring your ID and insurance card.
- You’ll be asked to remove any metal you’re wearing, like jewelry or watches.
During Your Scan
- A technician will have you lie down on a table.
- The table will move through a donut-shaped scanner. Unlike an enclosed MRI machine, which is shaped like a tunnel, the CT scanner is “open.”
- You’ll hold your breath for a few seconds while the machine takes a picture of your lungs.
That’s it — no needles, no prep, no need to spend a day in the hospital. The entire procedure lasts just a few minutes, but it can make a big difference in your long-term health.
After Your Scan
- You can return to your normal activities immediately.
- Your scan will be reviewed by a board-certified radiologist. The results will be shared with your physician, who will contact you to discuss the next steps.
What Happens if the Scan Comes Back Positive?
Over 80% of LDCT lung screenings do not detect cancer. But if something is found, catching it early — when treatment is most effective — can make all the difference. By getting screened at Hackensack Meridian Health, you’re already connected to a system with renowned lung cancer experts.
Lung Cancer Screening Cost and Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover annual lung cancer screenings if you meet certain guidelines. Check with your insurance provider to understand your eligibility.
Request a Call From our Team
If you’d like to know more about low-dose CT lung screening, or if you have questions about your eligibility, please fill out this form. A team member from our Lung Cancer Screening Program will follow up with you.
If you have a doctor’s order and need to schedule an appointment, please call one of our screening locations or 848-245-8011.
Frequently Asked Questions
To schedule a lung cancer screening, you will need a prescription from a healthcare provider. If you meet the eligibility criteria or have questions about whether you qualify, schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or pulmonologist. You can also contact one of our locations to speak with a team member from our Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Lung cancer screening is covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Current or former smoker (quit within the last 15 years)
- Age 50 to 80 years old
- No symptoms of lung cancer
- At least a 20-pack-year smoking history (e.g., two packs per day for 10 years or one pack per day for 20 years)
