Dr. Gomella on the Impact of the New USPSTF PSA Rating

Leonard G. Gomella, MD, Bernard W. Godwin Jr. professor of prostate cancer and chairman of the Department of Urology, director of Clinical Affairs, Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center, discusses the potential implications of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) decision to downgrade the rating for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening.

Gomella explains that many different opinions exist concerning PSA screening. However, the USPSTF rating holds more authority than other organizations because of its connection to the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which stipulates that services receiving a rating of C or D should not be covered by insurance plans. Only those rated A and B should be covered.

The new USPSTF rating for PSA screening is a D, denoting that it will no longer be covered by many health plans. Gomella explains that this represents a significant obstacle for men seeking to have their prostate cancer screened by PSA.