I had 2 PSA tests given by Kaiser 10.9 and 11: What test is next?

They are reading the Physician Assistants report back to you.
There is not a set price for an MRI. You could pay as little as $300 and as much as 1,300. You might call the radiation centers in the area. You may be able to negotiate a price. The hospitals usually charge the most. But, ostampco, as great as it is that you consider paying cash, it will end up being too difficult financially. On the other hand, nothing can be more important than health and I would do exactly what you are considering.

I don't think you can change insurance mid year. But wonder if original Medicare wouldn't be better insurance. I suspect you wouldn't be able to switch until January. California wants to be certain that prostate cancer patients have treatment https://caimpact.org/who-is-eligible/

You could struggle with Kaiser, you might prevail.

Hmmmm...
I have Kaiser and although I was referred to an out-of-plan provider, (no Kaiser urologists in the Coachella Valley), there was no problem with scheduling an MRI, MRI-guided biopsy, and PetScan all before starting ADT .
My PSA had gone to 14.6 before any of this started, and is now .02.
I am in my 9th month of treatment with Lupron D injections every three months, with the cancer localized in the prostate itself.
Good thoughts!

Hi , thanks for the input , I have a couple of questions if you have the time ..... did Kaiser require a biopsy before or after you scheduled the MRI ? I'm in Orange County maybe they are different in their protocol - when you went to the out of plan provider did you have to pay out of pocket ? If so what did the MRI and Pathology fees add up to ? Thanks in advance for the info

Good afternoon.
No, Kaiser did whatever the urologist requested; MRI, then biopsy, and lastly the PetScan to determine if the cancer had spread. Only the last one was questioned but okayed.
It was with all this info that à treatment plan was developed.
My Senior Advantage policy covered everything except for a couple of imaging copays that were $40. each.
Hope this helps.
Good thoughts.

I don't know what kaiser is but as for insurance I am now on Medicare.
I saw my young urologist in December. After a PSA of over 8 she recommended an MRI which showed two areas of concern. She then recommended a targeted biopsy and 9 of 15 samples show cancer cells. I have Gleason 3 + 3+6. She instantly recommended surgery. Um, no. She lost me as a patient. I am going to Mayo.

It's your health at risk. You need to make the decisions. If you want an MRI (as did I) and they say no, move to another facility or find a different oncologist if you can. You will have to wade through the insurance mine field with your agency and Primary Doctor. Keep reading and educating yourself. Every person's case is different and every treatment has it's own percentage of side effects. If you have a targeted biopsy ask for a Genomic test to grade the aggressiveness of your type of cancer.

Is surgery the wrong answer?

I strongly felt it was the wrong answer for me. She continued to bring it up even after I told her it was a last resort for me. I an 3+3= 6, most advice is active surveillance for G-6, not radical surgery. She admitted that she is a 'urologist and a surgeon' so she was upfront about what would be her recommendation.

Wow ,3+3=6 is active surveillance - same with 3+4=7 - I wouldn't have any surgery for either - no dice ! Castration and diapers for sure or watch for maybe years or decades ...... hmmmmm that's an easy decision !

I had 3+4 but felt that active surveillance was rolling the dice. If it spread outside my prostate, then the solutions are more complex and can create way more quality of life issues. My psa was 10.2. My brothers was 6.5 psa and his had spread as he waited too long and has had to go through a great deal of suffering, at least partially due to waiting too long and the cancer spreading. The discussion with active surveillance has always been, its a slow moving cancer but you do not have to look far to find out that it does spread more often than one might expect. There is no certainty here only educated guesses and every body is different.

I live in Wisconsin and am not familiar with your insurance. Regarding your treatment, I have had two MRI’s, both negative. However, when I had my second one under a new urologist, she told me that an MRI only scans 80% of the prostate. My second biopsy showed cancer. IMO, the biopsy was more accurate. BTW, both biopsies by different urologists went well with little after effect. A few days of peeing a little blood. Best of luck with your decisions!