DEXA Scan (Bone Density Test): Who Needs One, What It Costs, and Where to Get It

What is a DEXA scan?

DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (you may also see it written as DXA or "bone densitometry"). It uses two low-dose X-ray beams to measure how many minerals - mainly calcium - are packed into your bones. More minerals mean denser, stronger bones.

The scan usually focuses on your hip and lower spine, because those are the most common and serious places for fragility fractures. You simply lie on a padded table while a scanning arm passes over you. There's no tunnel, no injection, and nothing to swallow. The result is a T-score that compares your bone density to a healthy young adult - more on what that means below.

Who should get a DEXA scan? Screening guidelines by age

A DEXA scan is recommended as a routine screening for people most likely to have weakening bones. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF):

• All women age 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis with a bone density test.
• Postmenopausal women under 65 should be screened if they have an increased risk of fracture - for example, low body weight, a parent who broke a hip, smoking, long-term steroid use, or early menopause.

For men, national screening bodies haven't set a universal age, but many bone-health specialists suggest a DEXA scan for men 70 and older, or earlier with risk factors. If you're unsure whether you qualify, your doctor can run a quick risk assessment (often called a FRAX score).

How often should you get a DEXA scan?

For most people, every two years is the typical interval. Your doctor may suggest sooner if you have low bone density, are starting or changing osteoporosis treatment, or have a condition that affects your bones. If your first scan is normal and you have no new risk factors, you may be able to wait longer between scans.

How to prepare for a DEXA scan

The good news: preparation is simple.

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing with no metal - avoid zippers, belts, buttons, or underwire near your hips and spine. Many centers provide a gown if needed.
• Skip calcium supplements for about 24 hours before your scan, since they can affect the reading. (Your regular food is fine.)
• Tell the technologist if you've recently had a barium exam, a CT scan with contrast, or a nuclear medicine test - those may require a short wait first.

Fasting and avoiding caffeine apply to body-composition DEXA scans, not the bone density test - for osteoporosis screening, you don't need to fast.

What to expect during the scan

A bone density scan is one of the easiest tests in imaging. You'll lie on your back on a cushioned table while a mechanical arm glides above you. It's completely painless, and most scans are done in 10 to 20 minutes.

Worried about radiation? A DEXA scan uses an extremely small dose - less than one-tenth of a standard chest X-ray, roughly the same as the natural background radiation you absorb in a single day. There's nothing to recover from, so you can drive yourself home and return to your day right away.

Understanding your results: T-scores, osteopenia, and osteoporosis

Your results come back as a T-score:

• -1.0 and above means normal bone density.
• -1.0 to -2.5 means osteopenia (low bone mass - often managed with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes).
• -2.5 and below means osteoporosis (bones are fragile and more likely to break).

A lower (more negative) number means weaker bones. Your doctor reads your score alongside your age, history, and risk factors to decide whether you need treatment or simply a follow-up scan down the road.

How much does a DEXA scan cost - and is it covered by insurance?

Here's the part many people are relieved to learn: a bone density screening is often free. Because the USPSTF recommends it as preventive care, the Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover screening DEXA scans with $0 out-of-pocket for eligible patients (such as women 65 and older).

• Medicare Part B covers a bone density test once every 24 months for qualifying beneficiaries - and more often if medically necessary.
• Paying without insurance? Based on the cash prices we collect from clinics, a self-pay DEXA scan usually runs about $50-$550, with a typical price around $150 - see our DEXA scan cost data.

Expected Health shows the price up front on participating clinics, so you can compare costs before you book - no surprise bills.

Where to get a DEXA scan near you

DEXA scans are offered at imaging centers, radiology clinics, and many hospitals. The hard part is usually finding one nearby that has availability and accepts your insurance.

That's exactly what Expected Health is for. Use our clinic finder to see DEXA scan locations near you, compare prices and reviews, and book - all in one place.

How to book your DEXA scan in 3 steps

1. Search your area - enter your location to see imaging centers offering DEXA scans near you.
2. Compare and choose - check pricing, reviews, and availability, then pick the clinic that works for you.
3. Book your appointment - request your scan online in minutes.

Most centers ask for a doctor's referral (it also helps with insurance), but some offer self-pay scans with no referral - and you can book online in minutes. Each clinic's page shows exactly what's required.

Find and book a DEXA scan near you