Preventive screenings, such as bone density tests, can help identify potential medical problems. Medicare covers some costs. Bone density tests may help prevent expensive reparative treatments.

DEAR DR. ROACH: The results for my last bone density test show not only a T-score but also a Z-score. For my spine (L1 through L4), the T-score is -3.4, while the Z-score is -1.4. Can you please ...

Are you due for a bone density test? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced updated osteoporosis screening guidelines on January 14, 2025. Women 65 years or older, or postmenopausal women ...

Dear Doctors: I just turned 65, and my doctor wants me to have a bone density test. What is it, and how does it work? Dear Reader: A bone mineral density test, or BMD, measures the strength of one’s ...

If you’re someone who’s at risk for developing osteoporosis, you’re probably well-accustomed to receiving regular bone density tests. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) is a radiologic ...

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that’s common in the United States, affecting almost 20 percent of women and 5 percent of men over age 50. Osteoporosis occurs when bones are weakened by hormone shifts ...

Medicare covers bone density scans once every 2 years or more frequently if medically necessary. If you meet eligibility requirements and use a facility that accepts Medicare, there are no ...