Solving Prostate Cancer Screening Costs: Tips for Affordable Healthcare

Out - of - Pocket Costs for Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate - specific antigen ( PSA ) screening can lead to the identification of potentially lethal prostate cancer in men . However , new research shows that the out - of - pocket costs associated with additional diagnostic testing following elevated PSA results are substantial , common , and increasing . A study analyzed data on 3,075,841 privately insured men aged 55 - 69 who underwent PSA screening between 2010 and 2020 . Among those with elevated PSA levels , 43.9 % underwent further diagnostic testing , with more than 75 % experiencing out - of - pocket costs.

Rising Financial Burden on Patients

The median out - of - pocket costs for diagnostic tests such as Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) and prostate biopsies have risen significantly over the years . Patients undergoing biopsy only saw costs increase from 9 to 14 , while those undergoing imaging only experienced a rise from 1 to 90 . For individuals requiring both imaging and biopsy , costs surged from 53 to 20 . These financial burdens not only place a strain on patients but may also deter them from undergoing necessary screening procedures.

Recommendations for Policy Changes

Lead author Dr. Arnav Srivastava emphasized the importance of insurance companies providing full coverage for imaging , biopsies , and other diagnostic tests following abnormal prostate cancer screening . He highlighted the success of similar strategies in colorectal cancer screening and recommended policymakers and insurers eliminate cost - sharing for patients throughout the screening process . The American Cancer Society also issued a statement in 2023 advocating for the removal of out - of - pocket costs for essential diagnostic tests.

Impact of Out - of - Pocket Costs

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan revealed that private insurance patients faced considerable out - of - pocket costs for diagnostic testing post - PSA screening . The findings underscore the need for policy changes to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from receiving vital healthcare services . As the prevalence of prostate cancer continues to rise , addressing the financial burden on patients is crucial to improving screening and diagnosis outcomes.