Prostate Screening Tests

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
National Medicare Multi-Media & Education Campaign
Medicare Pays for Prostate Screening Tests to Help You Stay Healthy
A Healthier US Starts Here

Did you know that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S.?

All men are at risk for prostate cancer. Some men are at a greater risk especially if they:

• Are 65 years of age or older. (More than 70% of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men of this age.1)
• Have a family history of prostate cancer; for example, their father, brother, or son was diagnosed with this cancer.
• Are of African American decent.1

The good news is that, if you have part B, Medicare covers the two most common tests to detect prostate cancer. The screening Prostate Specific Antigen blood test (PSA test) measures the amount of PSA enzyme in the blood, a marker for prostate cancer. The other test is the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Medicare covers one PSA test every year and one DRE test every year for men with Medicare age 50 or older.

Don’t overlook routine preventive services like these prostate screening tests. Preventive services are critical to your overall health and can help you prevent diseases or find them early, when treatment works best.

You can remember the services you received and the tests you need each year by visiting the MyMedicare.gov web tool. You can see a description of your covered preventive services, the last date that service was performed, and the next date you are eligible for that service. If you don’t have a computer, ask a family member or loved one if they do. Or, use your local library or senior center to log onto MyMedicare.gov to review this information.

Start taking steps that can put you on the road to better health:

• STEP 1: Know your health history.
• STEP 2: Talk to your doctor about the Medicare preventive services that are right for you.
• STEP 3: Register at MyMedicare.gov on any computer connected to the Internet.

Look for a “Healthier US Starts Here” event in your area to learn more about Medicare preventive services. Or, get free copies of “Staying Healthy - Medicare’s Preventive Services” and “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services” by visiting www.medicare.gov on the web. Select “Find a Medicare Publication.” Or, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
1 According to the American Cancer Society