Prostatectomy follow up (Other than PSA testing)

From what I know, this would not be a routine yearly physical. Your diagnosis will be prostate cancer even after a prostatectomy. Insurance (Medicare and others) should pay for your periodic PSA tests.

I had RP last year at 70 years old. My doctor wanted PSA tests every 3 months for the 1st year, then switched to every 6 months as the PSA is staying undetectable. However, other than reviewing the PSA results there really isn't any other testing nor physical examinations during these post RP appointments. I have used these routine RP follow-up appointments to discuss penile rehab and get tadalafil and sildenafil prescriptions. If my PSA stays undetectable, then eventually they'll switch to annual PSA tests (not sure when). If my PSA starts rising, then imaging will be indicated at some point (although I most sincerely hope to never get to that point). I'm not a medical professional, but rather this is my layman understanding of post RP standard practices (in the absence of any other complicating conditions). As jeff1964 mentioned above my original Medicare and supplement has paid for the doctor visits and psa tests. Best wishes.

Medicare does pay for a yearly physical. It’s one of the non-optional paid for treatments.

I’ve had them every year and they pay for them every year and I’m 77 now.

What you need is no less than semi annual PSA tests. The first one after surgery should be around the three month mark, at the most. Many people have their PSA rise immediately and that’s the only way to find out. They are also covered. You don’t want to go too long after having treatment to make sure nothing’s coming back. My PSA started rising 3 1/2 years after I had a prostatectomy. I had semi annual tests. When my PSA hit .2 they gave me a Lupron shot and two months later they did radiation for 7+ weeks.

It doesn’t matter which doctor does the PSA test. You really don’t need to see your urologist for much of anything, hough they may be the one to order the PSA tests done. Besides that, unless you are having some sort of urological or surgical problem, the urologist doesn’t need to do any testing on you besides PSA.

My situation is very similar. I am 73 and “celebrate” my two year RP anniversary next month. My PSA has been
< 0.01 after 5 tests. My next test is early October. Hoping and praying for more of the same. Health and happiness to all! 🤞🙏

Hi Jeff,
Check the coverage. Medicare pays for a 'AWV - Annual Wellness Visit' of sorts by not an Annual Physical. Just when we need it the most as we age. UC has informed me several times it is not technically covered. On the Medicare site it states specifically "Physicals are not covered". Their AWV does a bunch of talking and updates on preventative care, Advanced directive updates, family history, cognitive function. No bloodwork, vaccines, examining, etc. Makes no sense. Doctors have to have a 'reason' to completely examine you and a diagnosis to do so.
Thanks to all who responded. I guess we need to wait to have an issue rather than get ahead of it. Certain things like Colonoscopy, PSA, etc. are (of course) covered......fortunately. Tom

Congrats!! I am just passing the 5 year mark with undetectable PSA. Was doing it every 3 months (for the 5 years) as mine was high risk, and now have extended the test out to every 4 months. Likely indefinitely.
Prayers for all here in the group we did not choose to join.

I guess my Medicare advantage plan does cover the annual physicals. They even do blood tests under it, though my oncologist tests me monthly.

The thing is
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most private health insurance plans must cover annual physicals and other preventive services without a copay, deductibles, or coinsurance.

Interesting. Just went (once again) and googled Medicare covered Physicals and it substantiates what I stated in my previous email. Also, in making appt. with UC this am. confirmed Medicare does not cover Annual Physicals. Try it and see what your' google shows under Medicare's government site.

BTW, ACA DOES cover Annual Physicals, as you state (unlike Medicare which does not). I had it before turning 65.

What is interesting about that is that most of the ACA requirements follow into Medicare requirements yet the annual physical doesn’t.