Prostate cancer screenings

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

 covers digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests once every 12 months for men over 50 (starting the day after your 50th birthday).

Your costs in Original Medicare

  • Digital rectal exam: After you meet the Part B Deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount for a yearly digital rectal exam and for your doctor's services related to the exam. In a hospital outpatient setting , you also pay a separate hospital visit copayment
  • PSA blood test: You pay nothing for a yearly PSA blood test. If you get the test from a doctor that doesn’t accept assignment , you may have to pay an additional fee for the doctor's services, but not for the test itself.

Note

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

  • Other insurance you may have
  • How much your doctor charges
  • If your doctor accepts assignment
  • The type of facility
  • Where you get your test, item, or service

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if, or how much, Medicare will pay for them.