Endocrine Society Calls for Medicare Coverage of DXA Bone Density Testing to Be Extended to Men With Testosterone Deficiency

Chevy Chase, Md. -- Hypogonadism, also known as testosterone deficiency, affects 4-5 million men in the United States placing them at risk for developing osteoporosis. Despite the clear association of testosterone deficiency with low bone density and osteoporosis, Medicare does not provide coverage for bone density testing for these individuals. To address this concern, today The Endocrine Society issued a Position Statement, endorsed by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, calling for Medicare coverage of bone density testing to be extended to this at-risk population.

Bone mineral density, measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), is an excellent predictor of the risk of fractures in both men and women. Nationally, Medicare currently provides coverage for DXA scans in men only when an individual has been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, osteopenia or has had a vertebral bone fracture. This means that most men found to have osteoporosis are diagnosed only after a hip or spine fracture has already occurred.