Medicare will pay for DEXA once every two years in patients who meet any of the following criteria:
Women who are post-menopausal and at high risk for osteoporosis
Any patient with vertebral compression fracture or osteopenia on plain x-rays
Any patient who has taken more than three months of systemic steroids
Any patient with primary hyperparathyroidism
Any patient being monitored for efficacy of FDA approved treatment for osteoporosis