If my BMD test results are normal, when should I be screened again? If my test results show either osteopenia or osteoporosis, when should my test be repeated?
If your BMD results are normal, you should be screened again 2 years after the first screening, unless your risk factors change. For example, if you develop an illness requiring that you take a steroid medication, your clinician may want to reconsider the time of your next screening. Medicare currently covers bone mineral density testing every 2 years.
Because BMD tests can be quite expensive, you may not be able to afford them if you do not have insurance to cover them. Some insurance companies will pay for retesting and monitoring based on the clinician’s orders. You might be retested every 6 months to 1 year depending on your level of bone loss, your other illnesses or medications, and your treatment.
If your BMD test results remain the same for two or more tests, the interval between retesting could be lengthened. You should contact the member services department of your health insurance company or HMO to get information about coverage for BMD tests. Ask when you can be screened and when you can be retested according to their guidelines.
Some clinicians don’t think it’s necessary to monitor BMD every year because there is not enough time to show a significant difference in bone density. Most clinicians will monitor density every 2 to 3 years for those on treatment or to demonstrate stability over time. After two or more BMD tests show that bone density is not changing, a longer interval between tests is appropriate.
When you are retested to monitor the progress of treatment, keep in mind that it is important to use the same machine and preferably the same person operating the machine (who can be a nurse or technician). Each machine is calibrated differently, and keeping the same one gives more consistent results and measurable changes.