Bone density tests are used to measure the amount of calcium and other trace minerals in your bones with X-rays. These results will help your doctor determine if you are at risk of a bone fracture due to an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about how Medicare covers this important test.
- Bone density tests are usually conducted with X-rays diagnosed at an outpatient facility.
- Bone density tests are usually done every 24 months for qualifying patients.
- Bone density tests may be done more frequently if the patient suffers from certain conditions.
- People on Medicare pay no costs for bone density tests as long as their doctor accepts Medicare assignment.
- Medicare Advantage plans will cover bone density tests, but the beneficiary must use providers within the plan.
Medicare Part B covers the full cost of bone density testing every 24 months, but only if you meet the prerequisite conditions. That means you pay nothing out-of-pocket if you meet the three criteria.
What Are Bone Density Tests?
Bone density tests help your doctor diagnose any fractures and problems with bone density, such as osteoporosis or compression fractures. Bone density is usually measured with an imaging test like an X-ray, which will reveal the calcium density in your bones. If your bones are fragile, you will see large honeycomb-like structures when the doctor looks at your bones on a microscopic level.1mayoclinic.org, “Bone density test“, Accessed November 11, 2021
How Does Medicare Cover Bone Density Tests?
As we age our bones become more porous and fragile. Bone scans help your physician diagnose fractures and problems with bone density, such as osteoporosis. For this reason, Medicare covers bone scans every other year for the following conditions:2Medicare.gov, “Bone mass measurements“, Accessed November 11, 2021
- Estrogen deficient women at risk for osteoporosis
- Symptoms of osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures on an x-ray
- Prednisone or steroid-type drug use as part of a treatment plan
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Osteoporosis drug therapy monitoring
The conditions for coverage are:
- Your doctor has ordered the scan as a medically necessary test.
- It’s been 23 months since your last bone density test, or you have a condition that requires more frequent testing.
- The facility where the scan is done accepts Medicare.
Frequent Bone Density Tests
You may qualify for more frequent testing if you have any of the following conditions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic kidney disease
- Overactive parathyroid gland and other hormonal imbalances
- Organ transplant
How Much Do Bone Density Tests Cost?
The cost for bone density tests can vary from area to area, ranging from $150 to $325 without coverage3Howmuchisit.org, “How Much Does a Bone Density Scan Cost?“, Accessed November 11, 2021. Medicare beneficiaries who meet the requirements pay no deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for a bone density test if their health care provider accepts Medicare assignment.2Medicare.gov, “Bone mass measurements“, Accessed November 11, 20214KFF.org, “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services“, Accessed November 11, 2021
Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover the same services as Medicare Part A and Part B, in addition to any expanded services offered. That includes bone density tests. However, a beneficiary’s out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage plan may be different than those with Original Medicare. Also, Medicare Advantage plan rules may require their members to use network providers for all services, supplies, and durable medical equipment.5Medicare.gov, “How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?“, Accessed November 11, 2021
Like most diagnostic and preventative care services, Medicare will completely cover the costs of your bone density tests. If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you broke a bone with unusual ease, or you have been losing height, you should consult with your doctor for this test. Once your doctor has determined that you have a qualifying condition and gives the order for the test, Medicare will have you fully covered for it.
- 1mayoclinic.org, “Bone density test“, Accessed November 11, 2021
- 2Medicare.gov, “Bone mass measurements“, Accessed November 11, 2021
- 3Howmuchisit.org, “How Much Does a Bone Density Scan Cost?“, Accessed November 11, 2021
- 4KFF.org, “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services“, Accessed November 11, 2021
- 5Medicare.gov, “How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?“, Accessed November 11, 2021
Uchunguzi wa wiani wa mifupa hutumiwa kupima kiasi cha kalsiamu na madini mengine katika mifupa yako kwa kutumia mionzi ya X. Matokeo haya yatasaidia daktari wako kuamua kama una hatari ya kuvunjika kwa mfupa kwa sababu ya hali ya msingi. Soma zaidi juu ya jinsi Medicare inavyoshughulikia mtihani huu muhimu. - Majaribio ya wiani wa mifupa kwa kawaida hufanywa kwa kutumia miale ya X-ray inayotambuliwa katika kituo cha wagonjwa wa nje. Kwa kawaida, vipimo vya unene wa mifupa hufanywa kila baada ya miezi 24 kwa wagonjwa wanaostahili. - Uchunguzi wa wiani wa mifupa waweza kufanywa mara nyingi zaidi ikiwa mgonjwa anaugua hali fulani. Medicare haitoi gharama za vipimo vya unene wa mifupa, ikiwa daktari wako anakubali. Medicare Advantage mipango itafunika vipimo vya wiani wa mifupa, lakini mteja lazima kutumia watoa ndani ya mpango. Medicare inashughulikia gharama kamili ya upimaji wa wiani wa mifupa kila baada ya miezi 24, lakini tu ikiwa unakidhi masharti ya msingi. Hiyo inamaanisha huna kulipa chochote nje ya mfuko kama wewe kukidhi vigezo vitatu. Uchunguzi wa wiani wa mifupa ni nini? Uchunguzi wa msongamano wa mifupa husaidia daktari wako kugundua matatizo yoyote ya mifupa na matatizo ya msongamano wa mifupa, kama vile osteoporosis au fractures compression. Kwa kawaida, unene wa mifupa hupimwa kwa kutumia uchunguzi wa picha kama vile X-ray, ambayo huonyesha unene wa kalsiamu katika mifupa yako. "Mfupa wako ni dhaifu, utaona miundo mikubwa ya ""swamp"" wakati daktari anapoangalia mifupa yako kwa kiwango cha microscopic. ""Mfumo wa matibabu ya Medicare inashughulikiaje vipimo vya wiani wa mifupa?" Kadiri tunavyokua, mifupa yetu inakuwa dhaifu na yenye kuvu. Uchunguzi wa mifupa husaidia daktari wako kugundua mifupa iliyovunjika na matatizo ya msongamano wa mifupa, kama vile osteoporosis. "Kwa sababu hii, Medicare inashughulikia uchunguzi wa mifupa kila mwaka kwa hali zifuatazo: ""Medicare.gov, ""Upimaji wa uzito wa mifupa,"" ""Wanawake wenye upungufu wa estrogen katika hatari ya osteoporosis"" - ""Hatua za osteoporosis, osteopenia, au fractures za vertebral kwenye X-ray"" - ""Utumizi wa dawa ya prednisone au steroid kama sehemu ya mpango wa matibabu"" - ""Hyperparathyroidism ya msingi"" - ""Ufuatiliaji wa matibabu ya dawa ya osteoporosis.""" Ni miezi 23 tangu mtihani wako wa mwisho wa wiani wa mifupa, au una hali ambayo inahitaji vipimo vya mara kwa mara. - Kituo ambapo scan ni kufanyika inakubali Medicare. Utafiti wa mara kwa mara wa wiani wa mifupa Unaweza kufuzu kwa majaribio ya mara kwa mara zaidi ikiwa una yoyote ya hali zifuatazo: - Arthritis ya rheumatoid - Ugonjwa wa figo sugu - Gland ya parathyroid ya kupita kiasi na ukosefu mwingine wa usawa wa homoni - Upasuaji wa viungo Ni kiasi gani cha majaribio ya wiani wa mifupa? Gharama ya uchunguzi wa msongamano wa mifupa inaweza kutofautiana kutoka eneo moja hadi jingine, kuanzia $ 150 hadi $ 325 bila chanjo. - Howmuchisit.org, "How Much Does a Bone Density Scan Cost?" "Wateja wa Medicare ambao wanakidhi mahitaji haya hawatalipa deductibles, coinsurance, au copayments kwa mtihani wa wiani wa mifupa ikiwa mtoa huduma yao ya afya anakubali kazi ya Medicare. ""Medicare.gov, ""Upimaji wa Wingi wa Mifupa,"" ""Mwongozo wako wa Huduma za Kuzuia Medicare,"" ""Mipango ya Faida ya Medicare"" inahitajika kufunika huduma sawa na sehemu A na sehemu B ya Medicare, pamoja na huduma zilizopitishwa." Hiyo inatia ndani vipimo vya unene wa mifupa. Hata hivyo, gharama za mteja nje ya mfuko na mpango wa Medicare Advantage zinaweza kuwa tofauti na zile za Original Medicare. "Kwa mfano, Medicare Advantage ina mpango wa huduma za matibabu, ""Machapisho ya Matibabu ya Matibabu"" (MTCT) na ""Mafunzo ya Matibabu"" (MTCT) na ""Mafunzo ya Matibabu"" (MTCT) na ""MTCT"" (MTCT) na ""MTCT"" (MTCT) na ""MTCT"" (MTCT) na ""MTCT"" (MTCT)." Ikiwa una historia ya familia ya osteoporosis, umevunja mfupa kwa urahisi usio wa kawaida, au umekuwa ukipoteza urefu, unapaswa kushauriana na daktari wako kwa mtihani huu. Baada ya daktari wako kuamua kwamba una hali ya kufuzu na kutoa amri ya mtihani, Medicare itakuwa na wewe kikamilifu kufunikwa kwa ajili yake. "Mfano: ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano wa ""Mfano"""""""""""