Is it true that Medicare now covers prostate cancer screening?
Interesting stuff and good to stay up-to date. The last I read about prostate health was in a Super Beta Prostate Supplement reivew. Taking care of the prostate is so important because so many people have prostate problems when they age.
Medicare began covering prostate cancer screening tests for beneficiaries that meet certain criteria on Jan. 1. Medicare covers an annual digital rectal examination (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for all male beneficiaries over 50 years old. Although a screening DRE and PSA do not have to be performed and ordered respectively by the patient’s attending or primary physician, Medicare does require that these services be performed/ordered by a physician who is “knowledgeable about the patient and responsible for explaining the results.” Medicare’s intent is to prohibit a physician from performing/ordering these services when he or she sees the patient infrequently or only once. The requirement is designed, however, to allow some flexibility. For example, a physician who is a member of the primary physician’s group would be able to perform/order these services for the patient. Medicare will also pay for a DRE performed and a PSA test ordered by a physician assistant, clin
