How to Find Free or Low-Cost Prostate Cancer Treatment if You’re Uninsured

Prostate cancer happens when cells grow out of control in a gland of the male reproductive system between the bladder and the penis. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men in the U.S. Prostate cancer is also the second-leading cause of cancer death among men.

For every 100 men in the U.S., about 13 will get prostate cancer, and two or three will die from the condition. African American men are more likely to have prostate cancer than other men.

Any cancer diagnosis can be scary to face and even tougher without health insurance. 

How much does prostate cancer surgery typically cost?

Prostate cancer surgery and care costs vary widely. Your costs can be influenced by:

• Your diagnosis

• Your treatment plan

• Where you receive services

• Your insurance status

• Your insurance coverage

Commonly, prostate cancer surgery involves a prostatectomy, which is a procedure to remove the prostate. A radical prostatectomy removes the gland and surrounding tissue.

Charges for a radical prostatectomy include:

• Hospital fees, which comprise the majority of costs

• Surgeon and anesthesiologist fees

According to a 2021 publication in the National Institute of Health’s PubMed Central, the average list prices for a radical prostatectomy include:

• An average $34,720 for hospital fees, with a range from $10,000 to $135,000.

• An average $8,000 for physician fees, with a range from $4,028 to $18,720.

Prostate surgery also carries additional costs of care for conditions that may develop, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

What if I am uninsured?

If you are uninsured and need prostate cancer surgery, see if you qualify for coverage under these public insurance or government-administered programs:

• Medicaid, if you have a low income or you live in a Medicaid expansion state.

• Medicare, if you are 65 or older, are younger with disabilities, or have certain qualifying conditions.

• Affordable Care Act marketplace, where you could qualify for premiums as low as $10 a month or less.

All of these options provide health insurance coverage for prostate cancer surgery.

Are there organizations that offer free or low-cost treatment options for the uninsured?

If you need prostate cancer surgery and do not have health insurance, some free and low-cost options include:

• The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics has members in more than 1,400 locations that typically charge nothing for care. These clinics can be searched by ZIP code or city and state with the organization’s Find A Clinic tool.

• Federally qualified health centers, known as FQHCs, are community health facilities funded by the federal government to provide medical care in underserved areas. Also known as community health centers, they charge patients based on ability to pay.

• Some hospitals and medical centers may offer an uninsured patient discount or financial assistance programs.

• Safety-net hospitals and clinics are comprehensive health centers that may be called county hospitals, public hospitals, or essential hospitals. They provide services to all people, including those who lack health insurance. You can find a safety-net hospital on this state-by-state list or by searching online for a safety-net hospital in your area.

Can asking about costs upfront help reduce expenses?

Knowledge is power. Asking questions before your procedure can help you estimate, negotiate, and, sometimes, reduce expenses. Some questions to ask include:

• How many different provider bills will I receive for this treatment?

• Is there an outpatient surgery option so that I don’t have to spend the night in the hospital?

• Do you offer payment plans?

• Is there a facility fee?

• Are there any other ways to reduce the cost of this procedure, such as a bundled price?

Estimating your cost upfront may be easier because of hospital cost transparency. Since January 21, 2021, the federal government has required hospitals to post prices for at least 300 services that can be scheduled in advance. Sometimes, “surgical removal of prostate” or a similar phrase will be part of this list. 

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), hospital cost information must be in a consumer-friendly format. Often, a hospital will post a “price transparency file” online. Usually, this is a spreadsheet that lists services and their corresponding prices — with and without insurance. Some hospitals also have created interactive price exploration tools.

If you are uninsured, your cost may be called:

• Cash price

• Discounted cash price

• Gross charge

• Self-pay

What type of treatments will I receive for prostate cancer?

Many men get a prostate cancer diagnosis in early stages. If the condition progresses slowly, they may never need or choose treatment.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are eight types of standard treatment for prostate cancer:

• Watchful waiting or active surveillance: Medical monitoring without treatment; this may change depending on symptoms or test results.

• Surgery: A procedure that may include removing the prostate and surrounding tissue.

• Radiation therapy: Treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other kinds of radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth.

• Hormone therapy: Treatment that removes or blocks hormones to stop cancer cell growth.

• Chemotherapy: Medications, including injections, that stop the growth of cancer cells.

• Targeted therapy: Treatment that identifies and attacks specific cancer cells.

• Immunotherapy: Treatment that activates your immune system to fight cancer.

• Bisphosphonate therapy: Drugs for treating cancer that has spread to bone.

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Written by:

Andrea King Collier

Andrea King Collier has been reporting about medicine, public health, healthcare, and healthcare policy for more than three decades. Her work on health, education, and family issues has appeared in publications including O, the Oprah Magazine; AARP Magazine; Essence; Black Enterprise; The New York Times; and The Washington Post.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

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