Price for a bone density scan?

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
I'm overdue for one and still considering whether I want a higher deductible next year with my health insurance. Knowing the cost of this test would help me to make that decision. Thanks for any info.

2
Sorry, just saw this. I had one in late 2011, in Bern. I think it was around chf 200. It was a standard baseline scan.

3
Was this the DXA scan?

4
Yep, it was.

5
Does DEXA scan need to have a doctor's note? Tried to schedule my first scan in the USA, and they would not accept me without one.

6
I had a DXA scan done at this place, near the Zürich HB:

http://www.mri-roentgen.ch/standorte/mri-bahnhofplatz/

http://www.mri-roentgen.ch/angebot/osteodensitometrie/

Going back over my bills, it looks like the cost was only ca. 110. (At least I can't find any other charges related to that.) Now - that does not include interpretation or consultation. A technician does the scan and results are sent to your doctor who then discusses them with you. So figure in the doctor's time on top of that.

My endocrinologist ordered the scan, but it was not covered under my basic insurance. At ca 110, though, a relative bargain, can't complain.

If I understand correctly, in some cases insurance will cover it, such as specific previous or ongoing disease/medication/treatment that affects bone density.

I have no idea if a doctor's referral is needed, I imagine it is because you could not otherwise get the results - but you could always call and ask.

ETA:

Googling around, given that you are in ZG, I see that the Zuger Kantonspital does the DXA scan with a referral from your doctor:

https://www.zgks.ch/Rheumatologie%20...osezentrum.php

But a couple of pharmacies offer bone density measurement - not sure what method is used. For instance the Zug Bahnhof Apotheke:

http://www.apotheke-zug.ch/wir.asp?angebot=Messungen

Depending on what you need and why, this might be an option without a doctor's referral.

But honestly - first step should be to talk to your GP.

7
Thank you for detailed information - will contact MRI Bahnhofplatz to see if they offer what I need - CHF110 is quite reasonable.

8
I had a DEXA scan at a clinic called Endonet in Basel earlier this year and it was around 80 francs.

9
Thank you, Debra - will check them out too.

10
I'm due for another one this autumn. I had my first in 2011, second in 2013. Because I was treated for breast cancer and take estrogen supressing drugs, i guess my scan is covered by basic insurance.

11
Without preexisting conditions (e.g. spine fracture, osteoporosis etc.), I don't think a dexa is covered - but as you see it's pretty cheap compared to other treatments etc.

12
That's ok, I don't mind paying myself. I was expecting it to be more expensive, so that's a nice surprize.

13
Is that price for just the thighbone or for the whole body? I am wondering if I should get one as I had very disordered eating for a long time and have had to take corticosteroids on and off these past eight years. Furthermore, I want to lose the weight I packed on these past two years from stress and would like to have a baseline of where I am to help with motivation as I am still stressed out but also really sick of feeling unfit.

Having checked out the cost for the scan in the fitness context, prices start at 180, going up to 250. So I was thinking it may be cheaper to have it done in a medical environment, even if I pay for it myself.

14
I get a whole body scan. Do you see a rheumatologist? That's who does mine. But, i have to have a referral from my oncologist.

My oncologist told me that a rheumatologist in private practice is less expensive than a hospital scan. I've never checked.