Prostate Cancer Screening Tests

Medicare covers annual prostate cancer screening for men aged 50 and older, including a screening digital rectal examination and a screening PSA blood test, each at a frequency of once every 12 months (with at least 11 months elapsed after the month of the prior Medicare-covered screening). Both the DRE and PSA must be performed or ordered by an authorized provider (MD/DO, PA, NP, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife) who is knowledgeable about the beneficiary and responsible for using the results in overall management. Coverage described applies to screening (early detection) and does not itself define diagnostic or surveillance testing coverage.

"Screening digital rectal examination (DRE) is covered for early detection of prostate cancer in men aged 50 or older when performed by an authorized provider."

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