Who qualifies
Medicare Part B covers a bone mass measurement (often a DEXA scan) if you meet at least one of these conditions, as Medicare.gov lists them:
- You're a woman whose doctor determines you're estrogen-deficient and at risk for osteoporosis.
- Your X-rays show possible osteoporosis, osteopenia or vertebral fractures.
- You're taking prednisone or steroid-type drugs, or plan to start.
- You've been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism.
- You're being monitored to see if your osteoporosis drug therapy is working.
Your doctor or other provider orders the test and documents the reason.
How often and what you pay
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How often | Once every 24 months, or more often if medically necessary |
| Cost of the test | Nothing, if the provider accepts assignment |
| Part B deductible | Doesn't apply to the covered test |
| Follow-up visits and treatment | Usual Part B cost sharing: 20% after the deductible ($283 in 2026) |
If the test is done more often than Medicare allows without a medical reason, or by a provider who doesn't accept assignment, you could owe more. Ask before the scan.
If the test shows osteoporosis
- Drugs you take at home are covered by Part D plans, according to each plan's formulary. The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
- Drugs a provider gives you in a clinic are usually covered by Part B.
- Home health: Medicare's home health benefit covers an injectable osteoporosis drug for women who meet certain criteria.
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same test. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage.
Getting tested in Oregon
Hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers across Oregon do bone density scans. In rural counties the nearest scanner may be a drive away, so ask your doctor to order the test with your next visit. Use Medicare's Care Compare to check that a provider is enrolled in Medicare, or you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent to talk through plans whose networks include providers near you.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover mammograms in Oregon?
Yearly screening for women.
Does Medicare cover annual physicals in Oregon?
Your yearly prevention checklist.
Does Medicare cover home health in Oregon?
Skilled care at home.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Bone mass measurements
- Medicare.gov — Home health services
- Medicare.gov — Care Compare
More questions in this guide
- Does Medicare cover acupuncture in Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover annual physicals in Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover home health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare pay for in-home caregivers in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mammograms in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover me when I travel or spend winters outside Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover medical marijuana in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover memory care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mental health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover oxygen therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover physical therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover prostate cancer screening in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover psilocybin therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover skilled nursing care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover the shingles vaccine in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover transportation to medical appointments in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover vision care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover wheelchairs in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Learn Medicare — the Oregon starter guide · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do men qualify for a Medicare bone density test?
Yes, if they meet a condition other than the estrogen one: X-rays showing possible osteoporosis, osteopenia or vertebral fractures; steroid treatment; primary hyperparathyroidism; or monitoring of osteoporosis drug therapy.
Can I get the test more often than every 2 years?
Medicare.gov says Part B covers it more often than every 24 months when medically necessary, for example when your doctor is checking whether an osteoporosis drug is working.
Does Medicare cover osteoporosis drugs?
Part D plans cover osteoporosis drugs you take at home, according to each plan's formulary. Part B covers drugs a provider gives you in a clinic, and Medicare home health covers an injectable osteoporosis drug for some women who meet certain criteria.
Medicare in your Oregon county
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