Bone Mass Measurement

Medicare covers bone mass measurement when performed with an FDA-cleared/approved modality (DXA, RA, bone sonometry, SEXA, or QCT) for qualified individuals (estrogen-deficient women at clinical risk, x-ray-demonstrated vertebral abnormalities, long-term glucocorticoid therapy >=5 mg prednisone/day for >3 months, primary hyperparathyroidism, or monitoring responses to FDA-approved osteoporosis therapy). Tests must be ordered by and interpreted by the treating physician or qualified non-physician practitioner, furnished by a qualified supplier under general physician supervision, and are generally payable once every 2 years with documented exceptions allowing more frequent testing (after 11 months) for specified medical circumstances such as yearly glucocorticoid monitoring or drug-therapy monitoring when medically necessary.

"Bone mass measurement is covered when performed with a covered testing modality (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), radiographic absorptiometry (RA), bone sonometry (ultrasound), single energy..."