Cost of PSMA scan in US: So I was... - Advanced Prostate...

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Cost of PSMA scan in US

TJGuy profile image
18 Replies

So I was surprised recently about the cost of my PSMA scan here in the US. $3456

I was used to costs in the $16,000 range for Choline scan.

Paid $2650 or so for the UCLA clinical trial back in 2017.

I checked and also found a place in Vancouver BC that would treat scan US patients for about 3400 Canadian about $2600 US

What are others finding concerning costs for a PSMA scan.

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TJGuy
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18 Replies
6357axbz profile image
6357axbz

My Medicare and BCBS SUPPLEMENT F pays for whole cost ever since FDA approved the scan. I paid about what you did for the UCLA trial GA 68 scan back in 2020

They didn't include the $8000.00 tracer? Thats the cost for Pylarify.

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy in reply to

I'm waiting for the statements to come but that takes a while. This is what the hospital quoted me for cost. I questioned them a couple times on the cost and said I was expecting higher cost for the PET scan, but they said that's what my insurance BCBS negotiated for cost.I'll update this when I see what's on the actual bills and EOB.

Seemed too good (for the US) to be true.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toTJGuy

If your insurance covers it, they will pay far lower than an uninsured individual will pay (or what you would pay for an unapproved scan, even with insurance). You probably know that already.

scranbag profile image
scranbag

I had a Gallium68 PSMA scan in London, Cost was £2928.00

Chask profile image
Chask

Initial scan in Australia - A$40. Subsequent scans A$700.

maley2711 profile image
maley2711

18 months ago, Kaiser paid, but sent me the billing for an uncovered person ...tracer plus PET scan approx $9k I believe. I had to argue to convince them to remove the $500 copay!!!!!!!!!!

Chasbearcat999 profile image
Chasbearcat999

o had one this week. $8500

rasher1 profile image
rasher1

hi, can I ask about the place in Vancouver that has this test? Can I have the name?

Wish you all the best.

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy in reply torasher1

INITIO Medical in Vancouver BC area. They could fit me right in really no wait. You need a order from your physician.

It was $3200 CDN. And at today's conversion rate that's $2415.40 USD

So I was prepared to fly x-country but another of my doctors received approval for it locally.

rasher1 profile image
rasher1 in reply toTJGuy

Thanks very much.

Ian996 profile image
Ian996

I paid $3200 USD in May 2021 for a psma pet scan at UCLA In march 2023 I paid $3200 CDN at Initio lab in Vancouver BC I understand that the ga68 psma pet scan has been superceded by the pylirafy scan which costs $8000+ This scan is more readily available but a lot more expensive

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy in reply toIan996

So I had looking at my scan report the GA68 Gozetotide PSMA scan (Illucix) in NC. Told my cost based on contract price with BCBS (which was all paid by me on my deductible) was $3456It was very successful in finding PC in lymph nodes at 1.18 PSA

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy in reply toTJGuy

In the fall of 2022. BCBS required bone scan and CT scan before approving a PSMA scan. Also a 1.0 PSA and several other conditions as well. I was below 1.0 PSA I waited for 1.0 or greater now June 2023.

Dr at MAYO prescribed PSMA scan and MRI, BCBS approved MRI, denied PSMA required peer to peer which Dr doesn't do.

I immediately requested my other Dr at local hospital to prescribe PSMA, he does peer to peer and it was approved by BCBS.

I was expecting cost in the $20 k range but was surprised it was quoted to me at $3456.

We'll see what the billing says when I get it.

ron_bucher profile image
ron_bucher

My Medicare + AARP Medicare Supplement covered 100%.

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy in reply toron_bucher

Thank Ron good to know when I get to that age. How's the estrogen cream still working for you?

dans_journey profile image
dans_journey

I paid $3,300 out-of-pocket at UCLA in November 2021. My insurance wouldn't cover the cost at my PSA level (0.23 ng/mL). It had to be at 1.0 ng/mL for coverage to kick in.

TJGuy profile image
TJGuy

I just received my bill from the hospital for the Plarify PSMA scan and once again blew my mind this time in the other direction.The cost billed to BCBS was if you can believe it $36,915.71

It shows I paid my deductible and that BCBS picked up the rest.

When I get the EOB from BCBS it may show the "discount" BCBS received, and the real cost of the scan.

Now this same scan is free for Canadians in Canada.

If I went to the private Canadian scan provider I wrote about earlier it would cost me $2415

This is what's wrong with American health care. $36,915.71 vs $2415 for a PSMA pet scan. Which by the way is about $600 to $800 in some other countries.

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