Osteoporosis. You may not know you have it!

Bone mass measurement (bone density)

How often is it covered?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers this test once every 24 months for people who meet the criteria below. This test may be covered more often if it's medically necessary. This test helps to see if you're at risk for broken bones.

Who's eligible?

All qualified people with Part B who are at risk for osteoporosis and meet one or more of these conditions:

• A woman whose doctor determines both of these (based on her medical history and other findings):

• She's estrogen deficient

• She's at risk for osteoporosis

• A person whose X-rays show possible osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures

• A person taking prednisone or steroid-type drugs or is planning to begin this treatment

• A person who has been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism

• A person who is being monitored to see if their osteoporosis drug therapy is working

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for this test if the doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment.

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.