The foundation also recommends tests for postmenopausal women with an added risk factor for developing the disease, and for postmenopausal women who have already had a fracture. For many people, getting tested will depend upon what their health insurance covers. As of July 1, Medicare, the government insurance for those age 65 and over, will pay for bone density tests in certain cases. It pays for tests for postmenopausal women who have other risk factors for osteoporosis, for women who need to be monitored on drug therapy, or for patients who have certain conditions or who take certain drugs that put them at higher risk for the disease. A bone density test is the only sure way to tell if someone is at risk for osteoporosis.
Opinions vary as to which of several machines is best.
It is the test that should be used to monitor patients taking drug therapy. But these machines are big and expensive. The newer peripheral DEXA machines, which test the heel, wrist or forearm, are smaller and less expensive. They can be easily transported to multiple sites. Humphries' company, Bone Density Inc., purchased a peripheral DEXA machines.