Have you gotten a bone density test?

According to the CDC, 16 percent of women over 50 and four percent of men over 50 have osteoporosis of the femur, neck or lumbar spine. The percentage grows significantly for people over 65—24.8 percent of women and 5.6 percent of men. A bone density test or bone mass measurement can diagnose osteoporosis. Have you gotten one?

Patients with osteoporosis have thin and brittle bones as well as a high likelihood of breaking their bones. Osteoporosis tends to worsen as you grow older. For these reasons, Medicare covers the full cost of a bone density test every two years for women, if the doctor prescribes it, because:

You are estrogen-deficient at risk for osteoporosis based on medical history or other evidence;
An X-ray shows vertebral abnormalities;
You have been getting steroid treatments for at least three months;
You are diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism;
You are on a drug for osteoporosis.

For full Medicare coverage, you must see a doctor who takes assignment—accepts Medicare’s rate in full if you have traditional Medicare. You should see an in-network provider if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan. However, if you take the test at the same time as you are getting examined for a range of issues, you will still bear the deductible and coinsurance costs of your doctor’s exam if they are applicable.

Women should get a bone density scan at age 65. Medicare also covers follow-up bone-mass measurement or more frequent screenings for osteoporosis if your doctor prescribes them. If you have osteoporosis, you can take a drug to preserve your bones and even strengthen them.

While osteoporosis is more common in women, men also can have osteoporosis. And, 25 to 30 percent of men with osteoporosis who have a serious osteoporotic fracture of a bone are likely to die within a year, a much higher death rate than women or than from prostate cancer.

Men should consider getting a bone density scan at age 70, especially if they have had a bone fracture after the age of 50. But, the US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend the osteoporosis test for men, claiming the evidence does not suggest efficacy. So, Medicare won’t cover a screening unless men have suffered a fracture. And, since osteoporosis is asymptomatic, men who don’t pay out of pocket for the test won’t know whether they have osteoporosis.

In addition to hip fractures, risk factors for osteoporosis include: rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, smoking and alcohol.

Osteoporosis treatment: Fosamax or Actonel, Reclast, Forteo, Tymlos or Prolia all are effective treatments for osteoporosis.

What you can do to minimize your risk of osteoporosis: Exercise, don’t smoke or drink alcohol and take calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Provided you meet the qualifying criteria, Medicare also covers a range of other preventive care services, including an annual wellness visit, the flu shot, weight counseling, nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, a cardiovascular screening and a diabetes screening.

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