When will I need my first DEXA Scan?

I am in my early 30s and am wondering when to get mt first DEXA Scan.  Can I wait until after my sugery? Will the insurance give me fits about covering it since I am a woman of a certain younger age? My PCP said they would not cover it now because it would be normal and that the insurance wouldn't pay.

You need a baseline pre-op and then AT LEAST every two years.  Your pcp needs to code it so that your insurance will pay for it.  If you have to wait until you are 3 months post-op to get the first one covered by insurance that would be fine.  But you really need a baseline so you can know what changes are resulting from your malabsorption.

~Becky

I'm 33 and mine was covered. My surgeon wanted one before surgery.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DEXA Scan?

Lisa

DEXA (or DXA) is "Dual-emission X-ray Absorptiometry"

basically, it's a fancy X-ray that measures bone mineral density

Dr. Peters required one before surgery. My insurance paid. Dunno what coding was used. I was 42 and post hysterectomy.

That reminds me, I'm overdue for another one.

FYI you have to weigh less than 300 bls for a full scan-- or at least the three places that my insurance covered said. 

So they just did a leg and a arm.

My surgeon didn't request one I wanted one.

I wish I had a pre-op baseline.  I had mine at 1 yr post op.  Of course...I'm a non-menstruater so I can get one coded under amenorrhea yearly.

My mother and I both have less than perfect spines and my sister had no risk factors so her asshole pcp wouldn't order one.  She paid about $200 out of pocket.