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A DEXA scan is the most widely used test for measuring bone density and helping diagnose osteoporosis, but the cost of a DEXA scan can vary significantly depending on where you get it done and whether you have insurance. Without coverage, most people pay between about $100 and $400 for this quick and painless procedure in 2026, though prices at hospital outpatient departments can run higher. Because charges differ by facility and region, treat any figure here as an estimate and verify the price with the provider before your appointment.
Also known as a DXA scan or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, this test takes just 10 to 20 minutes and delivers useful information about your bone health. Understanding the cost of a DEXA scan ahead of time helps you plan financially and avoid surprise bills.
What Is a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan uses two low-dose X-ray beams to measure bone mineral density (BMD), primarily in the hip and spine. The results are usually reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a T-score of -2.5 or lower is generally consistent with osteoporosis, while a score between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates low bone mass (sometimes called osteopenia). Your clinician interprets your results in the context of your overall risk.
Beyond bone density, DEXA scans are increasingly used for body composition analysis, measuring fat mass, lean muscle mass, and visceral fat with high accuracy. This secondary use has gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts and people managing metabolic conditions, but it is a different service from a diagnostic bone-density scan.
DEXA Scan Cost Without Insurance
The cost of a DEXA scan without insurance depends on the facility type and your location. These are typical 2026 ranges, not fixed prices:
Hospital-based radiology department: roughly $200 to $600. Hospitals tend to charge the most because of facility fees and overhead. Freestanding imaging center: roughly $100 to $250. Independent imaging centers typically offer the most competitive pricing for DEXA scans. Doctor’s office with on-site DEXA: roughly $150 to $300. Some orthopedic, endocrinology, and primary care offices have their own DEXA machines. Body composition DEXA scan: roughly $40 to $200. Fitness and wellness clinics offer body composition scans at lower prices since they are typically self-pay and not billed through insurance.
These prices usually include the scan itself and the radiologist’s interpretation, but not always — always confirm what is included in the quoted price before your appointment, and ask whether the reading fee is separate. Prices also tend to run higher in major metro areas. For more on medical imaging costs, see our healthcare costs guide.
DEXA Scan Cost With Insurance
Medicare and most commercial insurance plans cover DEXA scans for bone density measurement when medically indicated. Under Medicare guidelines, a bone mass measurement is generally covered once every 24 months (and sometimes more often if medically necessary) for people who meet certain criteria — for example, those at risk for osteoporosis, people taking or starting certain medications like long-term corticosteroids, and those being monitored for an osteoporosis drug’s effectiveness. Your provider confirms whether you meet Medicare’s coverage criteria.
With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for a covered screening DEXA scan is often $0 to around $75, depending on your deductible, coinsurance, and whether the scan is billed as preventive. Many plans cover eligible screening DEXA scans as preventive care with little or no cost-sharing, but coverage varies, so verify your specific benefits with your insurer. Body composition DEXA scans are rarely covered because they are considered elective.
Who Should Get a DEXA Scan?
In its 2025 update, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends bone density screening for all women 65 and older, and for postmenopausal women younger than 65 who are at increased risk of an osteoporotic fracture based on a clinical risk assessment (both are “B” grade recommendations). Risk factors include a family history of osteoporosis, low body weight, smoking, excessive alcohol use, long-term corticosteroid use, and certain medical conditions.
For men, the USPSTF concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening (an “I statement”), though some specialty groups suggest considering screening for men 70 and older or younger men with risk factors. Your doctor may also order a DEXA scan if you have had a fragility fracture, have lost height, or take medications that affect bone density. Ultimately, your clinician decides whether a DEXA scan is right for you and how often you need one — screening guidance is general and individual risk varies.
How to Save on a DEXA Scan
Choose a freestanding imaging center: These facilities consistently offer some of the lowest prices for DEXA scans, often well below hospital-based facilities. Use online price-comparison tools to check imaging centers in your area.
Ask about cash-pay pricing: Many imaging centers offer discounted rates for patients who pay out of pocket at the time of service. The cash price is sometimes lower than the negotiated insurance rate, especially if you have a high-deductible plan — but not always, so compare both. Check if you qualify for free screening: Some community health events and osteoporosis awareness programs offer free or low-cost bone density screenings. Organizations like the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly the National Osteoporosis Foundation) may have information on local screening events.
Use your insurance preventive care benefits: If you meet the age and risk-factor criteria, a screening DEXA scan is often covered as preventive care. Confirm with your provider and insurer that it is coded correctly as a screening rather than a diagnostic test to avoid unexpected charges. Body composition scans at fitness clinics: If you only want body composition data and not a medical bone-density assessment, fitness-oriented DEXA clinics offer scans starting around $40–$50, though a fitness scan is not a substitute for a medically ordered diagnostic scan.
What to Expect During a DEXA Scan
A DEXA scan is one of the simplest medical imaging procedures. You lie fully clothed on a padded table while a scanning arm passes over your body. The entire process takes 10 to 20 minutes, involves no injections or contrast dye, and exposes you to a very low level of radiation — typically less than a standard chest X-ray.
Results are usually available within a few days. Your doctor will review your T-score (and sometimes a Z-score) with you and discuss whether treatment or lifestyle changes are recommended. Follow-up scans are often performed every one to two years to monitor changes in bone density, based on your individual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get a DEXA scan?
For screening and monitoring, Medicare generally covers a bone mass measurement once every 24 months for qualifying patients (and sometimes more often when medically necessary). If you are being treated for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend follow-up scans every one to two years to monitor your response. More frequent scanning is usually not necessary and may not be covered — your clinician decides the right interval for you.
Is a DEXA scan the same as a bone density test?
Effectively, yes. DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is the most widely used and accurate type of bone density test. Other methods exist, such as peripheral DEXA and ultrasound-based screening, but central DEXA of the hip and spine is considered the reference standard for diagnosing osteoporosis.
Do I need a referral for a DEXA scan?
Most insurance plans require a physician’s order for a covered DEXA scan. Many imaging centers and body composition clinics allow self-referral for cash-pay patients. Check with your insurance plan to understand its referral requirements before scheduling.
Can a DEXA scan detect anything besides osteoporosis?
A bone-density DEXA scan is specifically designed to assess bone health. Body composition DEXA scans provide detailed information about fat distribution, lean muscle mass, and visceral fat, which can be useful when managing conditions like obesity, sarcopenia, and metabolic syndrome — but that is a separate, usually self-pay service.
The bottom line: In 2026, a bone-density DEXA scan usually costs about $100–$400 without insurance, though hospital outpatient departments can charge more and freestanding imaging centers are often cheapest. Medicare covers a bone mass measurement once every 24 months for qualifying patients, and many plans cover eligible screening as preventive care with little or no cost. Body-composition scans are typically self-pay. Prices vary widely, so verify the total (including the reading fee) with the provider and your insurer, and remember that your clinician decides whether you need the scan and how often. This article is general information, not medical advice — talk to your doctor about your bone-health screening needs.
Protect Your Bones Without Breaking Your Budget
The cost of a DEXA scan is modest compared with the expense of treating osteoporotic fractures, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars and significantly affect quality of life. If you are in a higher-risk group, talk to your doctor about whether a bone density test is appropriate for you. Early detection gives you the best chance to protect your bones through medication, exercise, and dietary changes before a fracture occurs — and comparing facilities and asking about cash-pay pricing can keep the cost down.
Sources
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH — bone density, T-scores, and osteoporosis
- Medicare.gov — bone mass measurements coverage (once every 24 months for qualifying patients)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening (2025 recommendation)
- Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly National Osteoporosis Foundation) — patient education and screening resources