DEXA BONE DENSITY TEST

WHAT IS A DEXA BONE DENSITY TEST?

DEXA BONE DENSITY STUDIES ARE CONSIDERED THE "GOLD STANDARD" FOR DIAGNOSING OSTEOPOROSIS AND FOR FOLLOWING CHANGES IN BONE DENSITY OVER TIME. BONE DENSITY TEST MEASURES THE DENSITY OF YOUR BONES AND CAN MONITOR YOUR RATE OF BONE LOSS AND RESPONSE TO THERAPY. THE AMOUNT OF RADIATION IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THAT RECEIVED FROM A STANDARD CHEST X-RAY.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE EXAM?

WHEN YOU ARRIVE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN AND TO REMOVE ALL METAL, BUTTONS AND HEAVY ELASTIC. THE X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST WILL THEN ASSIST YOU TO THE BONE DENSITY TESTING ROOM WHERE YOU WILL LIE ON A COMFORTABLE TABLE. THE EXAM TAKES ABOUT 5 MINUTES. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LIE VERY STILL DURING THIS TIME. THE TEST IS PAINLESS, NON-INVASIVE AND SAFE. YOU MAY EAT OR DRINK PRIOR TO THE EXAM.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS TO HAVING A BONE DENSITY TEST?

THERE IS A 300-POUND WEIGHT LIMIT. YOU MUST NOT HAVE A DEXA BONE DENSITY TEST WITHIN 5 DAYS OF A BARIUM STUDY, INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM, CT SCAN WITH INJECTED IV CONTRAST MEDIUM, OR NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDY.

WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN?

THE RESULTS WILL BE CLASSIFIED INTO ONE OF THE THREE CATEGORIES.

NORMAL BONE MASS: A REPEAT STUDY IS SUGGESTED IN 3 TO 5 YEARS TO EVALUATE NEW BONE LOSS.

OSTEOPENIA: LOW BONE MASS - REPEAT THE SCREENING IN 1 YEAR TO DETERMINE PROGRESSION TOWARD OSTEOPOROSIS.

OSTEOPOROSIS: THE PATIENT MY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR FRACTURE. CONSULT YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. A REPEAT STUDY IN 1 YEAR TO EVALUATE EFFECTS OF THERAPY OR PROGRESSION OF BONE LOSS.

HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF THE TEST?

A LETTER WILL BE SENT TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN WITH THE RESULTS OF YOUR BONE DENSITY TEST ALONG WITH FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS. YOUR PHYSICIAN SHOULD CONTACT YOU WITH THE RESULTS.

CAN ANYTHING BE DONE IF THE TEST IS POSITIVE?

YES. YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN CAN RECOMMEND SEVERAL TREATMENT OPTIONS. THEY MIGHT INCLUDE MEDICATION, EXERCISE AND DIETARY CHANGES.

WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?

INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE: SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.

PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU.

SELF-PAY: YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.

WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.

PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF BEING PREGNANT. RADIATION IS HARMFUL TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.

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