DEXA Scan options

so I made an inquiry with a place to have a DEXA scan done. Below is what they sent me for price/options:

Body composition
$150 for single scan
$250 for package of 2

VO2
$250 for single study
$400 for package of 2

DEXA (bone density) $175

$350 for body comp and VO2
$450 for VO2 and package of 2 body comps

It's odd they don't have combo for body comp and bone density... anywho.. my questions: 1) anyone ever have the VO2 test? Is it worth it?? I googled it and it's an oxygen consumption test specific to aerobic activity. 2) what combo would you suggest? This place is a private - concierge medical program - so I'm sure they offer the moon and stars... at a price. 3) My FSA administrator says "X-ray services (medical)" are eligible expenses. i think this would fall in that category-- do you?  I tucked $$ in my Fsa specifically for this. 

I am skeptical that it would be a covered service, because it is not for diagnostic purposes. Traditional DEXAs measure bone density, usually at the hip and forearm, to screen for osteoporosis. While we could definitely be at risk for osteoporosis, that is not the indication for this test, and the FSA might balk at paying.

That isn't to say this isn't worthwhile, just that you may have to pay yourself. I don't see the particular use for me for aerobic activity. Are you trying to determine your fat to muscle ratio or other information?

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a DEXA at 65 for women, unless they have risk factors, which are defined as:

Risk factors for osteoporotic fractures include: a family history of osteoporosis, previous fractures, white race, dementia, poor nutrition, cigarette smoking, alcoholism, low weight and body mass index, estrogen deficiency, early menopause (i.e., before age 45) or prolonged premenopausal amenorrhea, long-term low calorie intake, history of falls, and inadequate physical activity.

I think you could make a case for your health insurance or FSA to pay for a straight DEXA, but the body comp is a stretch; and the straight DEXA would likely be at a regular radiology place.

Thanks! I guess I'd fall in the long term low calorie low risk factor - short of that non of the other factors fit. 

I'd like to know fat to muscle ratio, and wouldn't mind having a baseline (albeit it may be skewed since I don't have a pre-op comparison) on bone density-- but I'd be fine getting to 65 not knowing that info. My main motivator to determine how much further I should go with losing based on the ratio. 

My FSA has a credit card- so I can charge the service up front and try and justify it to them later. Worse case scenario is if have to refund the money to my FSA account. 

Can you share where this place is? I am also in the Philadelphia area.

http://www.cenegenics-philadelphia.com/about-cenegenics/

Its in Plymouth Meeting. Only place I've found in the vicinity that does this. 

DEXA for bone density should be covered by insurance, especially as lots of research out there shows that WLS patients are at greater risk for diminished bone density.  As for the other stuff?  Unlikely that it would be covered.  So I'd recommend getting a DEXA bone density scan at your local medical imaging place with a prescription from your doc, and then doing body comp at the place you've posted.  If you're a big cardio exerciser, VO2 would be interesting, but it's not necessary.  

I am a big cardio person-- which is why I was intrigued by the VO2. 

I'll bring up the bone density to my surgeon or PCP- I'd much rather they pay for that:-)

If you pay for the body fat dexascan you will get the bone density information as well.... I have had it several times, and it is on there....no need to spend time going for 2 tests...

the medical dexascan-- while paid for by insurance, will not give you the bodyfat information... same machine, just a matter of the proprietary software they use....

That is good to know that the body comp will give you bone density info. Some companies I have looked at make it sound as if they will not give you bone info with the body comp info.

I would have to go back and look at what software they use... I know it is not proprietary to Dexafit- I actually think it might be from GE believe it or not.... but I see plenty of other people out there on the great web posting the same print outs from other places....