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Did you have a DEXA scan before the 2 year mark covered by Medicare?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Oct 1 3:41pm | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
Treatment and monitoring all over the board. Medicare will pay for a DEXA every year if to monitor pharma treatment; however, my doctor's group will ONLY order every 2 years. It was indicated to me that although Medicare will pay, perhaps reimbursement not enough to keep the medical group happy? Bone markers (CTX only for me) once a year (no baseline, first one done after roughly a year on Fosamax; which I asked for after reading about bone markers). That's it. Had my second Reclast infusion last week and other than my CTX score (which has always been quite low) I have no idea what my bone density is and won't until Spring/summer 2027. I got a referral to self-pay for DEXA but could not get a dollar amount out of the scan center; ranged from $400 to $1200 depending on "discounts" which they could share once I arrived for the appointment. And the do not email or send any other information stating exact cost. I understand DEXA not always necessary since bone changes slowly; but would sure like better monitoring.
Replies to "Treatment and monitoring all over the board. Medicare will pay for a DEXA every year if..."
@jozer ask for the billing manager at the center. They should know what the heck is going on as far as billing. If not, look for a different imaging center. The first time I did my self-pay Dexa, I called the scheduling people and they tried to send me to do it at the hospital, and I innocently asked how much that would cost me since I was going to self pay. Transferred me back and forth and 45 minutes later I was told the $960 amount. My Dr had mentioned that the outpatient freestanding centers of that same hospital around town might be a "bit" cheaper, so I asked the scheduler lady I was talking to and she was able to put me on hold and check with them. When she came back on the line, she was freaking out at the fact that it would only be $68. She didn't even know that it could be that cheap.
American medical system billing= as clear as pea soup!
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@jozer are you locked into this doctor? You might look around I hearing dexas from independent imaging centers are $100 to $200. You might ask your reluctant prescriber for script that you could take elsewhere. You can get both CTX and P1NP for $148 at https://www.jasonhealth.com/