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Going for Tulsa Pro Jan. 7th
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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I did Tulsa at Mayo Rochester in July. Medicare and my BCBS supplement covered all but a $6 antibiotic pill😉. At 3 months my PSA is down from 8.6 to 0.68. My experience:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-experience-mayo-clinic-mn-july-2024/
Good luck.
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1 ReactionThanks for your response. From what I’ve read, getting Medicare to cover the procedure in 2024 isn’t guaranteed since the current codes are fairly generic. In 2025, codes specifically for procedures like TULSA are expected to go into effect, which might require hospitalization (though I’m not entirely sure about that part). Like you, I’ve decided to move forward regardless. It’s been almost a year since I was diagnosed with cancer, and my doctor felt it was okay to wait. How have things progressed for you since your last post? It’s been about six months, right?
We were watching my PSA hoping Medicare would cover TULSA in 2025. My PSA went from 6.3 to 7.43 in less than 5 months so I decided to get the TULSA procedure asap. I went to OU in OKCity and had it done in late November. Don't worry, it's a piece of cake. I went two days prior to prep with the laxatives and enema. I was under general anesthesia for about 4 hours. The only pain I had was my hips from the position they had me in. I wore the catheter for two weeks. Unpleasant but no big deal except for going out. I stayed home mostly. I didn't have bladder spasms or pain just some tenderness when sitting on a hard chair. I returned to OKC to have the catheter removed after two weeks and all went well. No incontinence or urgency. My Dr. came in the room smiling, the first time I witnessed that, and showed the MRI results to me and all was clear. He was happy and so am I. I have an appointment in March for PSA and follow up. The watch and wait was bothering me more than I realized and now the burden has lifted. I'm fortunate that I had the resources to pay for the procedure.
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2 ReactionsI am interested in the Tulsa, I was told insurance does not cover it and it is a 30k procedure. I have decided to remove the prostate based on that, although this post gives me hope. I have an appointment next week at mayo jacksonville with the surgeon that does the tulsa, I think I will submit it to insurance and see what happens. I pray all goes well for you and your journey. Thank you for sharing your info.
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1 ReactionGood luck at UCLA @paulcalif , we are all rooting for the best outcomes.
I think Mayo in 2024 is able to bill Tulsa as a hospital procedure since everything they do is considered a hospital procedure. Coding is just plain nuts, but anyway, Mayo knows the codes that get paid and they know how to bill as a hospital setting. Most doctors have at least some aspect of it being at an outpatient setting and can't use those code. Anyway that was 2024. I paid the 30K+ in late 2023, was worth it. We will just have to see what happens from here.
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1 ReactionHow has your recovery been?
I look forward to your treatment results . I am meeting with Dr. Klotz at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where TULSA PRO was invented by Dr. Chopra . Dr. Kloktz was part of the research team .
Post your experience and number of days you had the catheter in --- This varies by patient and Urologist .
Good Luck .
I've done a lot of research on all of the various prostate removal procedures I could find. I read about surgery first hoping there was something better. I was leaning towards MRI Guided radiation, but the company that made the machine went out of business. There are still operable machine that can do the MRI Radiation procedure . If I hadnt been a Tulsa candidate, then I would have chose that. Then I found the Tulsa Procedure. From what I've read, it offers the the best odds for the least number of side effects, but all of the side effects are still possible. I can't say I'm looking forward to the treatment, but today I feel it's the best option. Thanks for feed back and best of luck.
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1 ReactionPaul, What age are you ?
I'm 69, 70 in March. I'm still in pretty good shape other than type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, and basil cell skin cancer that I've had removed a few times. Other than that, I'm great. Hum, writing it out like that doesn't sound too healthy, but my A1c is under 7, my weight is right, and I'm active.
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