September is dedicated to raising awareness about prostate health. Controlled portions of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins combined with regular exercise help to improve and maintain prostate health. A high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle seem to contribute more to prostate cancer. Your family history is also another essential part of prostate health.
So scheduling routine exams with your family physician is necessary because early detections will increase treatment success. Medicare covers digital rectal exams and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests once every 12 months for men over 50. If you see a participating provider who accepts Medicare assignment, you will pay nothing for your annual PSA test. Medicare Part B will cover 100% of the approved amount, with no copay or deductible. This screening is also part of your initial "Welcome to Medicare" visit and your "Annual Wellness" visit after that.
So please don't forget to schedule your screening with your doctor. Taking care of your prostate health today can make all the difference tomorrow.
By Sharon Groves
Sharon Groves covers health, wellness, and lifestyle topics for the ARA newsletter, helping readers make informed decisions about their wellbeing in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
Sharon makes an excellent point about those Medicare-covered prostate screenings. Here's something most people don't realize: that annual PSA test through Medicare Part B really does come at no cost to you when you see a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services covers this as a preventive service, which means no deductible applies.
A lot of folks ask me, "When should I start getting prostate cancer screenings?" The current Medicare guidelines cover these tests starting at age 50 for most men, but if you have a family history of prostate cancer or are African American, many doctors recommend starting discussions about screening at age 45. Your Annual Wellness Visit with Medicare is the perfect time to talk through your individual risk factors with your physician.
The key thing to remember is that early detection really does save lives. Once you get into the routine of your annual Medicare wellness check, adding the PSA test is simple.