Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
 

A new law in Maine will require insurance coverage for prostate cancer screening for high-risk patients, a move that is expected to save lives and reduce the cost burden for patients. The bill, LD 1502, was passed in April 2026 and will go into effect in early 2027.

LD 1502 requires insurance plans to provide coverage for both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE) in patients deemed high risk by a physician. PSA is a naturally occurring protein that, when elevated or rising in a patient’s blood, can indicate an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. In the more well-known DRE, a physician uses a gloved hand to check the prostate for abnormalities.

Why It Matters

When diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is over 90 percent. Once the cancer has spread, that rate drops to 38 percent and treatment becomes more complex—and costly.

Who Qualifies as High Risk

Routine prostate cancer screenings typically begin in a patient’s mid-40s to early 50s. Earlier screening is recommended for patients with:

• Genetic testing revealing cancer-related gene mutations
• Family history, including prostate, ovarian, or breast cancer
• Race- and ethnicity-related risk factors (for example, Black men face higher rates of both diagnosis and death from prostate cancer)

A Growing Trend

With the passage of LD 1502, Maine joins 11 other states that have removed cost barriers to prostate cancer screening for high-risk patients. Similar legislation has also expanded access to screening for other cancers, including breast cancer.