Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Dr. Siris explains when women should have a bone density test and if it is covered by insurance.
Dr. Siris:
The Federal government has advised that if you’re 65, you’ve never had a dexa, you need it (period) and Medicare will cover it. They’ll let you also do follow up dexas if you need them every two years and cover it and in certain situations if you’re being treated a year apart, it will be covered by Medicare. Welcome to Medicare tells you, you need a dexa.
Now what if you’re less than 65? If you’re a post-menopausal woman, under 65, most people feel that if you have risk factors for osteoporosis or fracture, you should have a dexa. In most of the commercial carriers will cover pain for that dexa. If you’re post-menopausal and you have risk factors then that’s documented.
About Dr. Ethel Siris, M.D.:
Dr. Ethel S. Siris is the Director at the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center, Columbia University, is the Madeline C. Stabile Professor of Medicine at Columbia University, and is the immediate past-President for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. She is board certified in endocrinology and internal medicine, focusing on osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, and bone and mineral metabolism.
Visit Dr. Siris at New York-Presbyterian Hospital