A DEXA scan typically costs between $50 and $300, depending on where you get it, why you’re getting it, and whether insurance covers it. The single biggest factor in what you’ll pay is the type of facility: hospital outpatient departments charge roughly four times more than independent clinics for the same scan.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Without Insurance
If you’re paying cash, expect to spend $160 to $175 for a standard bone density DEXA scan at an independent imaging center or physician’s office. That price usually includes both the scan itself and the radiologist’s interpretation of your results. The national average allowed charge, though, runs higher at about $300 when you factor in all facility types, because hospital pricing skews the number up significantly.
Body composition scans, the kind used to measure body fat percentage and muscle mass, are a different market entirely. Wellness clinics and fitness-oriented imaging centers typically charge $50 to $100 for these scans. They’re almost never covered by insurance since they’re considered elective, but the lower price reflects the simpler reporting involved. No radiologist interpretation is needed, and results are usually reviewed with you on the spot.
Hospital vs. Independent Clinic Pricing
Where you get your scan matters more than almost anything else. Data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that hospital outpatient departments charge an average of $207 for a DEXA scan, while physician offices charge just $49 for the same procedure. That’s a 41% savings simply by choosing a freestanding clinic over a hospital setting.
The price gap comes down to facility fees. Hospitals tack on overhead charges for using their space, equipment, and administrative systems. They also frequently bill the radiologist’s interpretation as a separate line item, which can add $50 to $100 to your total. Independent imaging centers and physician offices typically bundle everything into one price. If you’re paying out of pocket, calling a freestanding imaging center first can save you more than $100 compared to a hospital-based scan.
What Insurance Covers
Medicare covers DEXA scans at zero cost to you, as long as your provider accepts Medicare assignment and you meet at least one qualifying condition. Those conditions include: being a woman determined to be estrogen-deficient and at risk for osteoporosis, having X-rays that suggest bone loss or vertebral fractures, taking steroid medications like prednisone, having been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, or being monitored to check whether osteoporosis treatment is working.
Medicare’s national payment for a DEXA scan breaks down to $68 total at an ambulatory surgical center ($39 doctor fee, $29 facility fee) and $145 at a hospital outpatient department ($39 doctor fee, $106 facility fee). In both cases, the patient’s average out-of-pocket cost is $0.
Most private insurance plans follow similar guidelines, covering bone density scans for people with risk factors for osteoporosis. Plans generally require at least 24 months between covered scans unless your doctor documents a medical reason for earlier testing. If you’re under 65 with no risk factors and simply curious about your bone health, your insurer will likely consider the scan elective, leaving you responsible for the full cost.
How to Lower Your Cost
If insurance won’t cover your scan, you have several options to reduce what you pay. Start by contacting imaging centers directly and asking for their self-pay or cash-pay rate. Many facilities offer a discount of 20% to 40% off their standard price when you pay upfront without running it through insurance. You can also request a “good faith estimate” from any facility before scheduling, which federal law requires them to provide.
- Choose a freestanding imaging center over a hospital. You could pay $49 instead of $207 for the same scan.
- Ask about bundled pricing. Make sure the quote includes the radiologist’s reading fee so you’re not surprised by a separate bill weeks later.
- Check pricing platforms like GoodRx or MDsave, which aggregate discounted rates from facilities in your area.
- Ask your doctor about medical necessity. If you have any risk factors for osteoporosis, your provider may be able to document the scan as medically necessary, which could trigger insurance coverage you didn’t expect.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
A DEXA scan takes about 30 minutes, though it can be slightly shorter or longer depending on how many sites are being scanned (hips, spine, or both). You lie on a padded table while a low-dose X-ray arm passes over your body. It’s painless, requires no injections, and involves far less radiation than a standard X-ray.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or buckles. You’ll need to remove any jewelry or clothing with metal before the scan. If you take calcium supplements or other over-the-counter vitamins, stop taking them 24 hours before your appointment, as they can interfere with the accuracy of your results. No fasting or other preparation is needed.