Medicare Part B covers bone density scans for certain people, but not everyone

Yes, Medicare Part B covers bone density scans (also called DXA scans or DEXA scans) for some people. The scan measures how dense your bones are and helps doctors see if you have osteoporosis or are at risk for it. Medicare will pay for the scan if you meet specific conditions — but the conditions are narrow, and many people don't meet them.

The key is that Medicare doesn't cover bone density scans for routine screening in most cases. You need either a medical reason or to fall into one of the groups Medicare has identified as higher risk. If you don't meet those conditions, you would pay the full cost yourself, or your Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan might cover part of it.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers bone density scans only if you have a medical reason (like taking steroids long-term) or meet one of Medicare's risk categories, such as being a woman over 65 or a man over 70.
  • The scan must be ordered by your doctor and performed at a Medicare-approved facility for Medicare to pay.
  • Medicare covers one scan every 24 months for people who meet the criteria, or more often if your doctor documents a medical need.
  • If you don't meet Medicare's coverage rules, you may still have the scan done but will pay out of pocket unless your Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan covers it.

Who Medicare will pay for a bone density scan

Medicare covers bone density scans for women age 65 and older, and for men age 70 and older, without requiring any other medical reason. If you fall into either of those age groups, your doctor can order the scan and Medicare Part B will cover it.

Medicare also covers the scan for younger people if they have a medical reason. The most common reason is long-term use of steroids (corticosteroids), which weakens bone density. Other reasons include a personal history of fractures, a family history of osteoporosis, or certain medical conditions that affect bone health, such as rheumatoid arthritis or kidney disease. Your doctor has to document the medical reason in your chart for Medicare to pay.

Transgender and non-binary people may also meet coverage criteria based on age or medical conditions. If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, ask your doctor to check with Medicare before scheduling the scan.

How often Medicare pays for repeat scans

Medicare covers one bone density scan every 24 months (two years) for people who meet the coverage rules. That means if you had a scan in January 2024, Medicare would cover another one in January 2026 or later.

If your doctor has documented a medical reason — such as a diagnosis of osteoporosis or a fracture — Medicare may cover scans more often than every 24 months. Your doctor would need to write in your medical record why the more frequent scan is medically necessary. Without that documentation, Medicare will deny payment for a scan done sooner than 24 months after the last one.

What you pay out of pocket

If Medicare covers your bone density scan, you pay the Part B deductible (which is $240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly) and then 20 percent of the cost after that. The remaining 80 percent is paid by Medicare Part B.

If you have a Medigap plan (supplemental insurance), it may cover your 20 percent coinsurance and the deductible, depending on which Medigap plan you have. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific plan — some cover bone density scans with a copay, and some may cover them fully.

If Medicare does not cover your scan because you don't meet the criteria, the full cost is your responsibility. A bone density scan typically costs between $100 and $300 at a hospital or imaging center, though prices vary by location and facility.

Where to get the scan done

The scan must be performed at a facility that is enrolled with Medicare and meets Medicare's standards for bone density testing. Most hospitals, imaging centers, and some large medical offices have the equipment and Medicare approval to do this scan.

Your doctor will order the scan and usually will have a preferred facility where they send patients. When you call to schedule, tell the facility that you have Medicare and ask them to confirm they are Medicare-approved for bone density scans. If they are not, they cannot bill Medicare, and you would have to pay the full cost.

What happens if you don't meet Medicare's coverage rules

If you're younger than 65 (or a man younger than 70) and don't have a medical reason for the scan, Medicare Part B will not cover it. You can still have the scan done, but you would pay the full cost yourself.

Before paying out of pocket, check whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers bone density scans — some do, even if Original Medicare wouldn't. You can also ask your doctor whether there is a medical reason documented in your chart that would make you may be able to access. Sometimes a condition you have (like taking steroids for asthma or rheumatoid arthritis) qualifies you, but your doctor has to note it in your medical record for Medicare to recognize it.

How to arrange a bone density scan through Medicare

Start by talking to your primary care doctor or your rheumatologist, orthopedist, or other specialist. Tell them you want to know whether a bone density scan would be useful for you. If your doctor agrees it's medically necessary or appropriate, they will order it.

Your doctor's office will send the order to an imaging facility. The facility will call you to schedule the appointment and will verify your Medicare coverage at that time. Bring your Medicare card to the appointment. The scan itself takes about 10 to 30 minutes and is painless — you lie on a table while a scanner passes over your bones.

After the scan, the radiologist will read the images and send a report to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and talk about next steps, which might include treatment, lifestyle changes, or follow-up scans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Medicare cover a bone density scan if I'm 60 and have no symptoms?

No, not under the standard coverage rules. Medicare covers routine scans for women 65 and older and men 70 and older. If you're younger, your doctor would need to document a medical reason — such as a family history of osteoporosis, a previous fracture, or a condition that affects bone health — for Medicare to pay. Ask your doctor whether you have a documented reason that qualifies.

Can I get a bone density scan more often than every 24 months?

Yes, but only if your doctor documents a medical reason in your chart. For example, if you have osteoporosis and are starting treatment, your doctor might order a follow-up scan after one year to see how the treatment is working. Medicare will cover it if the medical necessity is documented, but without that documentation, Medicare will deny the claim.

What if my imaging center says they're not Medicare-approved?

Do not have the scan done there if you want Medicare to pay. Call another imaging center or hospital and confirm they accept Medicare for bone density scans before you schedule. If you have the scan at a non-approved facility, you will be responsible for the full bill.

Does Medicare Advantage cover bone density scans differently than Original Medicare?

It depends on your specific plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover bone density scans with a copay, and some may cover them with no cost to you. Check your plan documents or call your plan's customer service to find out what your plan covers for bone density scans.

Will my Medigap plan pay for the 20 percent I owe after Medicare?

Most Medigap plans cover the 20 percent coinsurance for services that Original Medicare covers, including bone density scans. Check your Medigap plan documents or call your plan to confirm, since coverage varies by plan type.