Does Medicare cover the bone density scan?
Certain conditions must be met in order for bone density tests to be covered and reimbursed for Medicare beneficiaries. They include: • The beneficiary’s treating qualified health care provider must confirm that the patient falls into one of the five categories of individuals (as detailed below) qualified to receive the Medicare benefit • The beneficiary’s treating qualified health care provider must then provide a written order for the bone density test based on the fact it is medically necessary, and the results must be sent to this physician. • The test must be appropriately supervised by a physician. • The person operating the bone density machine must be appropriately licensed by the State in which the test is done. • A physician/practitioner order cannot be requested after the test is performed. The treating practitioner must order the test in advance. • If an independent testing enterprise is in business solely to supply tests, no practitioner affiliated with the testing may ord
