Costs of bone densitometry

Since the year 2000, bone densitometry has only been paid for by statutory health insurance companies if at least one bone fracture attributable to osteoporosis is already present or if there is a strong suspicion of osteoporosis. Early detection of osteoporosis using bone densitometry, on the other hand, is not covered by health insurance. The cost of a bone densitometry varies according to the measurement system used and the complexity of the examination.

Usually, the costs for the measurement are between 40 and 80 € for people with statutory health insurance who have to pay for the service themselves. In the area of private insurances, costs of 80 – 100 € are usually estimated. Bone densitometry is a variety of methods to determine the density or calcium salt content of the bone.

For example, computer tomography or dual x-ray absorptiometry are used. Bone density measurements are most frequently used in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. In the case of computed tomography and DXA, these procedures are also associated with a certain radiation exposure for the patient.

For this reason, the question in financing bone densitometry is whether the diagnosis is useful and necessary.Before 2013, the costs of a bone densitometry were only covered by statutory health insurance companies if the patient had already suffered a fracture. Furthermore, the fracture had to have been suffered without a special event, such as a high level of violence or a violent fall. Furthermore, before 2013, health insurance companies covered the costs of patients with a high degree of suspected osteoporosis.

But even in this case, patients had to pay for the bone densitometry themselves as an individual health service (IGeL). Since 11. 05.

2013, however, the financing of bone densitometry has changed somewhat. The Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) has again relaxed the conditions for cost coverage. Bone densitometry using DXA is now also covered by statutory health insurance for patients with osteoporosis or increased suspicion of osteoporosis without a fracture that has already occurred.

However, an important prerequisite for cost absorption is that there is an intention to provide a specific drug therapy based on specific findings. Patients benefit effectively from such a bone densitometry because the therapy can then be adjusted accordingly and patients who would not require drug therapy are also protected from it. The measurement can be repeated after 5 years, or earlier if clinical or anamnestic findings indicate a need for it. The relaxation of the cost coverage is especially important for patients who are at risk of developing osteoporosis due to certain factors such as previous illnesses or long-term therapy with cortisone. These patients are now also eligible for reimbursement.