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PSMA PET/CT Transforms Salvage Radiation for Biochemical Recurrence

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Paradigm Shift for Evaluating, Treating Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer | MedPage Today New Long-Term Data Shows Promise BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): A landmark 5-year study from UCLA demonstrates that PSMA PET/CT imaging can revolutionize treatment for prostate cancer patients experiencing biochemical recurrence after surgery. Nearly three-quarters of patients remained metastasis-free at 5 years when salvage radiation therapy was guided by this advanced imaging, with an impressive 97% overall survival rate. This represents a paradigm shift from "one-size-fits-all" to precision-guided treatment, allowing doctors to see cancer at PSA levels as low as 0.4 ng/mL—far earlier than conventional imaging—and tailor radiation therapy accordingly. A Game-Changing Approach to Rising PSA After Surgery For the 20-40% of prostate cancer patients who experience rising PSA levels after radical prostatectomy, the question has always been: where is the cancer, and how should we t...

Medicare's HSA Prohibition:

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 A Policy Flaw That Punishes Seniors BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Medicare enrollment immediately and permanently ends your ability to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA), even though Medicare has massive coverage gaps that HSAs are specifically designed to fill. This 20-year-old rule from the 2003 HSA legislation has no clear policy rationale and creates perverse incentives for workers approaching age 65. Despite Medicare not covering dental care, vision services, hearing aids, incontinence supplies, and long-term care—expenses that can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually—the law prohibits Medicare beneficiaries from using the most tax-advantaged tool available to pay for these costs. The medical expense deduction, often cited as an alternative, is essentially worthless for 90%+ of retirees due to the 7.5% AGI threshold and high standard deduction. This mechanical rule appears to be an unintended consequence of poorly drafted legislation that has never been correc...

What Medicare will not cover in 2026 | The American Legion

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What Medicare will not cover in 2026 | The American Legion What Medicare Won't Cover in 2026: Critical Gaps for Prostate Cancer Patients BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Original Medicare (Parts A and B) excludes numerous services crucial for prostate cancer patients, including routine dental care, most vision services, hearing aids, outpatient prescription drugs, adult incontinence supplies, long-term care, and most home health assistance. These coverage gaps can create significant out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients managing treatment side effects and quality-of-life issues. While Medicare Advantage plans may fill some gaps, they impose network restrictions that can limit access to specialized cancer care and top-ranked hospitals—a critical concern for cancer patients. Health Savings Account funds accumulated before Medicare enrollment remain available tax-free to cover many uncovered expenses. Patients should carefully evaluate Medicare Advantage versus original Medicare with M...