TriValley Primary Care - DEXA Bone Scan

DEXA Bone Scan Service
Offered by TriValley Primary Care

Osteoporosis and DEXA Bone Scans: What you need to know...

What is a DEXA scan?

It is a means of scanning your bones with low dose x-rays to determine their density and to measure bone loss. These measurements are used to diagnose osteoporosis and a patient’s risk of fracture. DEXA is the common acronym for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. (DXA is the official acronym).

A DEXA scan is a simple, painless procedure that may be performed in an office setting, using a specialized device called a DEXA machine. TriValley has a DEXA machine in our Franconia Office in Telford. The patient reclines on a table that is part of the device. The scanning takes place by a movable component. The DEXA machine is operated by a Registered Radiologic Technologist and the results are reviewed by a physician. DEXA scans at TriValley are reviewed by Kelly Rose, M.D. who has had special training for this purpose.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton where bones become weak due to bone tissue loss and therefore become more susceptible to fractures or breaks. Osteoporosis, left untreated, can progress silently and painlessly until the patient experiences a fracture.

Many patients may not be diagnosed with osteoporosis until they break a bone, often resulting from a minor fall or simple action such as sneezing. Vertebral fractures can be less obvious and cause symptoms such as back pain, loss of height and stooped posture.

Who is at risk for developing Osteoporosis?

Currently, it is estimated that 10 million individuals in the United States currently suffer from osteoporosis. Eighty percent of those affected are female. Some individuals are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis. They include:

• Post menopausal women
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Caucasian and Asian ethnicity
• People with a history of fractures
• Pre-menopausal women who do not menstruate (amenorrhea)
• Men over age 70
• Those with diets low in calcium or vitamin D
• People with an inactive lifestyle
• Those who smoke or abuse alcohol
• People using certain medications, including steroids
• Those with a loss of height.

What do I do if I have Osteoporosis?

The good news is that your physician can help you treat osteoporosis so that a fracture is less likely to affect your life. You can change dietary and lifestyle behaviors to help improve your bone health, including taking calcium and vitamin D and exercising. Your physician can discuss these options with you. In addition, several prescription medications are now available that can help prevent and treat osteoporosis and related fractures. Your physician can use the results of your bone density evaluation to help develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs.

Vertebral Fracture Assessment

TriValley Primary Care will also perform a Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) with your DEXA exam. The VFA is a low-dose x-ray exam of your spine, performed on the DEXA machine. This exam screens for factures of the vertebrae. VFA exams are recommended for adults who have lost more than an inch of height or who have unexplained back pain. The VFA only adds a few minutes to the DEXA exam, and is performed on all patients.

How should I prepare for my DEXA scan? And, how long does the scan take?

Patients may eat and drink normally before their scan. However, patients should not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to the exam.

Patients should arrive wearing loose, comfortable clothing, free of metal zippers, belts, or buttons. You may be asked to remove eye glasses, jewelry, and any other metal objects that may interfere with the DEXA scan.

Patients should inform the Technologist if they recently had a barium exam or have been injected with contrast for any other radiologic testing.

The actual DEXA scan only takes 10-15 minutes after the patient is positioned on the table. However, please arrive 15 minutes before the exam for check-in (very brief), and allow 30-45 minutes to get in, get positioned, have the scan and then get yourself together after the exam.

Will my insurance company cover my DEXA scan at TriValley Primary Care?

TriValley Primary Care can submit claims for DEXA scans to Medicare. Medicare will cover DEXA scans for patients at risk for osteoporosis, including post-menopausal women and certain men who may also be at risk for osteoporosis. Medicare will reimburse TriValley Primary Care at 80% of their allowable amount, subject to the patient’s annual deductible. Certain secondary insurances may cover the remaining balance. Please contact your insurance company for details regarding your specific coverage.

In addition to Medicare, TriValley can also submit claims to Private Fee For Service (PFFS) Medicare plans that we participate with. These include Blue Shield Freedom Blue PFFS, Aetna Medicare PFFS and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Select Advantage PFFS.

Due to HMO referral rules, TriValley Primary Care cannot submit claims for DEXA scans to any HMO insurance. This includes so-called Medicare HMO plans such as Keystone 65 and Aetna Medicare HMO plans.

Do I need to be a TriValley Primary Care patient to have my DEXA scan performed at TriValley Primary Care, Franconia Office?

Yes, at this time, we are only performing DEXA scans on TriValley Primary Care patients.

How do I schedule my DEXA scan with TriValley Primary Care?

Inform your TriValley Primary Care physician or nurse practitioner that you are interested in getting a DEXA scan. If found medically suitable, your TriValley provider will prepare a referral for DEXA scanning. The office staff at any TriValley office can schedule an exam for you. TriValley Primary Care performs DEXA scans on Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons at our Franconia Office.

Contact us at:

Directions to TriValley Primary Care, Franconia Office

From the Intersection of Route 63 & Route 113, Harleysville:
Go North (East) on Route 113. At the fourth traffic light, make a left turn onto Cowpath Road. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Telford Pike. Turn right into Indian Valley Shopping Center, where the office is located.

From Route 309:
Exit at the Souderton Exit, Route 113.
Drive South (West) on Route 113, following Route 113 through downtown Souderton (approx 4 miles). At the fifth traffic light, make a right turn onto Cowpath Road. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Telford Pike. Turn right into Indian Valley Shopping Center, where the office is located.

For more information on bone loss, these websites are recommended:

www.radiologyinfo.org and www.nof.org

Information for this feature was obtained in part from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the Radiological Society of North America.