Frequency of Bone Mineral Density Testing: Long term use of certain medications is a covered indication for more frequent bone mineral density testing. What drugs would this include?
First of all, only for qualified individuals is bone mineral density testing a Medicare benefit. CMS defines this as: • A woman who has been determined by the physician or a qualified nonphysician practitioner treating her to be estrogen-deficient and at clinical risk for osteoporosis, based on her medical history and other findings; • An individual with vertebral abnormalities as demonstrated by an x-ray to be indicative of osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mass), or vertebral fracture; • An individual receiving (or expecting to receive) glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy equivalent to 7.5 mg of prednisone, or greater, per day, for more than three months; • An individual with primary hyperparathyroidism; or • An individual being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of an FDA approved osteoporosis drug therapy. Medicare pays for a bone mass measurement meeting the criteria as stated above once every two years (at least 23 months have passed since the month the last bone mass
