Although Congress introduced a bill in 2023 called the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-Risk Insured Men Act, also known as the PSA Screening for HIM Act, it hasn’t yet passed. If it does pass, all private health insurance companies in the United States would be required to provide prostate cancer screening for free to men at high risk.
Since nobody yet knows what our healthcare and insurance policies will be next year, it makes sense to take advantage of whatever insurance you have now, rather than wait. In addition to the cost of a PSA test, you can rest assured that any necessary procedure may also be covered.
Our expert urologist, Alex Lesani, MD, urges you to book a PSA test before your insurance benefits expire at the end of the year. We conduct PSA screening, digital rectal exams (DREs), and other needed procedures at our Las Vegas, Nevada, office.
Why should you use your benefits for a PSA exam before the new year arrives? Here’s why this simple test can make a difference to your life.
If you procrastinate and delay your test, you could be in for a surprise. Changes to the Affordable Care Act, changes to Medicaid and Medicare, as well as increased insurance costs to employers, might affect what essential services are covered in your new plan.
Rather than wait and have an unwanted surprise, get your PSA test done now. If you’re at average risk, it’s time to get your first test at age 45. If you have a higher-than-average risk, start at age 40 or sooner. You might be at increased risk if you’re:
Your risk level also influences how often you should be screened. If you’re uncertain, give us a call.
In most cases, a PSA test results in a normal reading. Even when you have elevated PSA levels, that doesn’t mean you have prostate cancer. Instead, you could have a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called an enlarged prostate.
If you have BPH, your current policy may cover the cost of treatment, if needed. In addition to lifestyle changes, you may benefit from Greenlight laser therapy. Rarely, you may need surgery.
If you do have prostate cancer, your current policy may cover the follow-up tests as well as a referral to an oncologist. Dr. Lesani may also remove the tumor surgically. Although prostate cancer is slow-growing, it may be to your benefit to have it removed as soon as possible, especially if your insurance covers the procedure.
When you take care of an important task, such as monitoring your health with a PSA test, you go into the new year with one less item on your to-do list. You know that you’ve taken the responsible step for your health by getting screened and following the recommended action steps from Dr. Lesani.
You don’t even have to add “get a PSA test” to your resolutions. It’s done.
To cross a PSA test off your to-do list while you know you’re still covered by your insurance, phone us today at 702-470-2579. You can also book your appointment online.
