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What they never told me about dexascans
I had my first scan 4 years ago at the same facility where I was starting treatment for prostate cancer. My numbers were -2.4 and -2.5. Two years later a rheumatologist I was seeing for another issue ordered another scan. Not knowing any different I had it done at the facility closest to me. Although my T-scores were down slightly my BMD numbers were improved. When I asked the doctor about the seeming contradiction he shrugged and said you really can't compare tests done on different machines. Nice time to tell me.
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@laren3 We'll only find out if it's profitable for Big Pharma.
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5 ReactionsI have never fractured. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis seven years ago when I was 66. My lumbar spine T score was -4.1. I tried bisphosphonates but they upset my stomach. I then took Forteo for two years and improved to 2.9. After the first year on Forteo, I asked my endo for a follow up DEXA scan and was told that my insurance wouldn't pay for yearly bone scans. After doing my own research, I discovered that with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, Medicare WILL pay for a follow up scan to verify a drug is working. I wanted to make sure the Forteo was really helping me before continuing a second year. Do your own research, because not all doctors are helpful.
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9 ReactionsSo first of all, we are being told that DEXA should not be taken extremely seriously because it is not very accurate (not a precisely honest picture) - then I learned that it needs to be done on the same machine by the same tech!!
I fortunately had the same machine and the same tech two years later (amazing)...and she confirms that this is indeed really true.
I so wish my mother had had DEXAs done...in her last few years - she had major falls. One actually broke her old Samsonite suitcase in two pieces. Another - she is the metal railing across her shower opening. I am so tempted to think my bones are actually very okay based on my parents surviving hard falls in their nineties and not cracking anything. There are so many other similarities in our health...and we took a healthy choice path for the last 50 years together. IDK.
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3 Reactions@jozer There is a company called Dexafit that in my area, has a DexaStrong Bone Density scan that is $275 and they frequently have discounts. They have locations all over the country.
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4 Reactions@sequoia perhaps; I am on regular Medicare since it actually is better coverage (yes more expensive) for most health conditions. But I will have to talk to a human at Medicare to see...
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1 Reaction@loplady Thanks! There is a new Dexafit office less than a mile from my Seattle area house. They do not mention anything about the brand "DexaStrong".
The price is about the same as yours, but I see add-on costs "Options to add on Radiologist Read and Consult during scheduling".
Also their listing says that they scan "Lumbar spine, Hips, and/or Forearm" with "hips" as plural. In my past experience it has been impossible to get both of my hips scanned at a DEXA facility. Because I have long term severe osteoarthritis in one knee I tend to favor that leg and I am keen to find out if my bone density is as bad in my stronger leg as in my leg with the bad knee.
Here is the service listing for my local office:
- Site Specific Bone Density Screening @ $200.00
- This exam is limited to specific areas of the body and focuses on Bone Density ONLY, also known as an Osteoporosis Screening (Lumbar spine, Hips, and/or Forearm).
- Results are sent to client in email, Results are not reviewed in office by staff.
- Options to add on Radiologist Read and Consult during scheduling.
I sent DexaFit Seattle an email asking the following questions:
1. Do your DEXA bone scans include TBS (Trabecular Bone Score)? If so, which version? Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40038110/
2. Does the standard bone scan, without the Radiologist, include a T-Score?
3. What is the cost of "Options to add on Radiologist Read and Consult during scheduling" to "Site Specific Bone Density Screening" service?
4. Your listing says " Lumbar spine, Hips, and/or Forearm". Does "hips" plural mean both hips? Or is it just one hip? If just one hip, what would the cost be to have both hips scanned?
@kfhoz The $275 in my area includes radiologist review and consultation. I don't believe there is the ability to do TBS, at least here, or they would say that. I have not used this facility as I had one done and paid for by insurance at our local medical center with my endocrinologist. This option is fairly new in our area. Best of luck and I hope they answer your questions. BTW, my Dexa includes both hips at the med center.
I have original Medicare. Called them just now and they confirmed if your doctor prescribes follow up DEXA as medically necessary, even tho' it has been less than 2 years since prior DEXA, Medicare will cover it. I have no idea if Medicare Advantage will cover it as well. Probably need to check with Medicare and your Advantage insurance company as I don't know exactly how Advantage plans work.
@kfhoz I did not know DEXA can provide TBS readings. My scan, done on a hospital clinic facility, did not include that information. I had to get a REMS scan to determine the TBS
@willowmena Only some DEXA machines are equipped to report TBS Trabecular Bone Score. There are a few discussions about it on this forum that you can search for.
My husband had a heck of time finding a DEXA machine with TBS in the Seattle area, then getting his doctor to send the right codes so that his Medicare Advantage would (likely) cover it. Then the first appointment that they had was 5 months out! In the first week of June he scheduled for December 17.