Medicare may cover the cost of your bone density test if you are a woman over 65 and you qualify.

Medicare will definitely cover the cost of p-DEXA or central DEXA scans for:

• estrogen-deficient women at clinical risk for osteoporosis;
• individuals with vertebral abnormalities;
• individuals receiving long-term glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy;
• individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism; and
• individuals being monitored to assess the response of osteoporosis therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you pay for a DEXA scan out of your own pocket, you should expect to pay $160 to $175. Many insurance companies will pay for your DEXA if your physician orders the test and you have many risk factors. Be sure to check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered.