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SCLD Update |
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| Other Topics in this Issue: Breast Cancer
Detection |
Prostate Cancer Detection Six states—Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas—passed laws regarding coverage for prostate cancer screening. In Illinois and North Dakota, the laws require specified insurers, HMOs, and public employee health plans (Illinois only) to cover an annual digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for: (1) African-American men ages 40 and older, (2) men ages 40 and older with a family history of cancer, and (3) asymptomatic men ages 50 and older. In Illinois, a physician's recommendation is required. The laws in Louisiana and Texas require certain insurers, HMOs, and the state employees' benefits program (Louisiana only) to cover prostate cancer detection tests. Louisiana's coverage includes a digital rectal examination and a PSA test for men over the age of 50 and, as medically necessary, for men over the age of 40. In Texas, coverage is required for an annual physical examination and a PSA test for asymptomatic males at least 50 years of age, or males at least 40 years of age with a family history of, or risk factor for, prostate cancer. Maryland passed two laws that require certain insurers, including HMOs, to provide coverage for a digital rectal examination and a PSA test for men ages 40 to 75 years. For patients who are at high risk for prostate cancer, the coverage also applies to monitoring the patient's response to cancer treatment, and for staging to determine the patient's need for a bone scan. Specified insurers in Tennessee must provide, upon a physician's recommendation, coverage for prostate cancer screening for men ages 50 and older, and for other men if screening is deemed to be medically necessary. Research and Prevention/Screening Programs A New York law established the Prostate and Testicular Cancer Research and Education Fund to provide support for prostate cancer research and education projects. The law also established the Prostate and Testicular Cancer Detection and Education Advisory Council, the purposes of which include, but are not limited to, promoting screening and detection among unserved or underserved populations, educating the public about the benefits of early detection, and providing counseling and referral services. Screening Information A California law requires physicians who examine the prostate gland of a patient within specified ages and risk factors to provide the patient with information about the availability of diagnostic procedures, including PSA tests. Violation of this law constitutes unprofessional conduct. Treatment Options Legislation enacted in New York requires the development of a standardized written summary about prostate cancer. The summary must be written in non-technical language and contain specified information. Health care providers may distribute the summary to patients at risk for or diagnosed with prostate cancer. Awareness Florida adopted a resolution recognizing June 1997 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and urging increased awareness about prostate cancer risks, symptoms, screening tests, early-detection methods, and treatment. |
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