Frequency of Bone Density Testing
My wife had a bone density test 18 months ago and was diagnosed with severe spinal osteopenia and moderate femoral neck bone osteopenia. Medicare only pays for the bone density test to be performed every two years. Is it reasonable to wait another six months so insurane wil cover the test. She is not having any problems. Is there any literature available on when you need to test a person with osteopenia?
Thanks for your question. Discuss with your doctor if your wife's more-frequent testing is medically necesary. Medicare has an official report saying that bone density testing is available more often than once ever 24 months "if medically necesary."
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Have you considered tests for bone turnover markers? Pam Flores wrote a good piece on how these tests fit into the picture if you have osteoporosis but can't get a bone density scan every six months. Hope this helps.
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