May Is the Month of Osteoporosis: Are Your Bones Protected?

Are you doing what you can to strengthen your bones? More Americans are diagnosed with Osteoporosis than the previous year, an illness that weakens and breaks the bones. You do not even know if you have this “silent” illness until you have a broken bone since you may not think that bones weaken. Medicare and osteoporosis screening tests are done once every 24 months if certain conditions are met. Due to estrogen shortage or medical history, a doctor certifies a woman’s osteoporosis risk. X-rays indicate osteopenia, osteoporosis, or damaged vertebrae.

The month of Osteoporosis is the right time to explore the details to protect and sustain your bones:

• Osteoporosis is not a common feature of getting older.
• Osteoporosis can develop in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over 50.
• The bone is at risk for half of the people over 50.
• Perhaps you can strengthen your bones.  

Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) of Medicare help pay for an injectable osteoporosis drug.

Does Medicare pay for bone density screenings?

Patients who meet Medicare’s requirements for coverage can have a bone density scan at no out-of-pocket cost to them. Considerations such as age, gender, medical history, and lifestyle choices can help determine an individual’s risk for low bone mass.

Medicare covers bone density scans for eligible patients. However, the physician must accept the Medicare assignment.

A bone density scan would not incur any out-of-pocket expenses above the regular Medicare Part B deductible. Medicare will cover a part of both the scanning facility and the physician’s fees.

Before getting a bone density scan, double-checking with Medicare is always a good idea. This verification process, sometimes known as a pre-authorization, can sometimes be facilitated by a doctor’s office. By going through this procedure, you can ensure your doctor accepts the assignment and won’t do any procedures that Medicare won’t pay for.

Bottom Line

Communicate to the doctor about evaluating your bone mass, which is the prime way to know whether you have Osteoporosis or are at risk for it. NewMedicare covers this test at least once every 24 months if the doctor or other qualified health specialist demands it.

May is the month of Osteoporosis. Gain knowledge about the Osteoporosis risk, eliminate it and manage it from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.