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Going for Tulsa Pro
I've posted here a few times over the last year and have read most of the posts from others. I was diagnosed in January 2024 through an ultrasound biopsy (it should have been MRI guided), followed by a PSA test CT scan, MRI, and Decipher test. My cancer is not aggressive, but there are three growths in my prostate. My doctors recommended a full ablation, and I’ve decided to go with the Tulsa Procedure at UCLA with Dr. Steven Raman.
I’ve waited until now because I believe Medicare will begin covering the procedure on the 1st. of 2025. Earlier this year, I switched from a Medicare HMO plan (Blue Shield) to Original Medicare with a supplemental plan, where Medicare covers 80% and the supplemental plan pays the remaining 20%. It’s been incredibly difficult to determine whether Medicare will actually cover the procedure, as I’ve received conflicting information. However, I think they will.
I considered going back to an HMO with United Health Plans, which includes UCLA physicians as in-network, but no one could guarantee that they’d cover the procedure either.
Anyway, I thought I’d document this journey. It begins on January 5th, when I’ll check into an Airbnb hotel near the procedure location. This is two days before the procedure. I’ll have to fast those 2 days and completely empty my stomach (I’ll spare you the details). In the best-case scenario, I’ll wake up with a catheter and a “burned out” prostate. I’ll need to wear the catheter for at least two weeks. Hopefully, they'll get it all 🙂
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Yes, UCLA accepted my Medicare with supplemental. I spent a couple of nights in an Airbnb while in Santa Monica while having my procedure done. That was during the LA fires and they were a little to close for comfort. I traveled with my girlfriend at that time but honestly, the only thing she helped me with was the ride from the hospital to the Airbnb. I spent the next night after the procedure there but then I drove us back home. The catheter was the only pain and it's more pain in the ass than real pain lol. Best of luck.
@tdoriausername I did Hemi gland Tulsa Pro at Mayo in Jacksonville FL in Dec. 2025. My Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield covered it and since I had met my out of packet max for the year which is $7,000 it was fully covered. Week with the catheter was hard, but since then all is good. Utinating better then before and have had sex 4 times in the two months following the procedure. Going back March 26th for first PSA test. Praying all is good. Lots of things led me to Tulsa Pro mainly the location of my lesson which was anterior ir on the inner layer of the prostate. It was also just one core of the 13 core biopsy that showed 70% abnormal and only 10% of that 70% was 4 for a 3+4=7. All other tests including PSMA PET showed confined. I’m very happy so far with what I did.
@ucfron Thank you for your detailed response and congrats on your treatment success.
@jcf58 Thank you for the encouragement. I understand that they have a facility in Duarte, California that also does the procedure. I might opted to have it done there. It's closer to where my sister lives.
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