A DEXA scan costs $80 to $400 per scan in 2026
A DEXA bone density scan costs $80 to $300 without insurance at an independent imaging center in 2026, and $150 to $400 or more at a hospital. The national average cash price is about $175. Some centers run self pay specials from $75. Medicare Part B covers a bone density DEXA at $0 every 24 months if you qualify. A DEXA body composition scan at a gym or wellness clinic costs $40 to $200 and is never covered by insurance.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| CoveredUSA | CoveredUSA lists $100 to $200 at imaging centers, $200 to $600 at hospital outpatient departments and about $175 on average, with Medicare Part B at $0 for those who qualify. |
| The Fountain | The Fountain lists bone density scans at $150 to $400 without insurance and body composition scans at $40 to $200. |
| Composition ID | Composition ID lists imaging centers at $100 to $250, hospitals at $150 to $400 and body composition clinics at $40 to $200. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Where you go | Imaging centers are $80 to $300. Hospitals are $150 to $600. Wellness clinics do body composition for $40 to $200. |
| The scan type | Hip and spine bone density (CPT 77080) is the standard test. A wrist or heel scan is $50 to $150. |
| Insurance | Bone density scans for osteoporosis screening are usually covered with a $0 to $75 copay. Body composition scans are not. |
| Medicare | Covered at $0 every 24 months for women 65 and over and others at risk, if the provider accepts assignment. |
What the price includes
The scan itself, the radiologist's reading, and your T score and Z score report. Your doctor's visit to order the test and discuss results is separate. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Medicare Part B covers a bone density scan about once every 24 months if you qualify, and you pay $0 when the provider accepts Medicare, says CoveredUSA. Many private plans cover bone density scans as preventive care for women 65 and over. A body composition scan at a gym or wellness clinic is for fitness, and the Fountain says insurers do not cover it. Coverage rules differ by plan, so call your plan first. Ask for the exact test code and ask if the imaging center is in your network.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if you need a bone density scan or a body composition scan. They are not the same price.
- Ask for the cash price at an imaging center, not just the hospital.
- Ask if the price includes the doctor who reads the scan.
- Ask your plan if the scan is covered and what you owe before you go.
- Compare the total with the range above: $80 to $400 per scan for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the self pay price at a freestanding imaging center, not the hospital. The same scan is often half the price.
- If you are 65 or older on Medicare, the bone density scan should cost nothing. Ask the clinic to confirm before you go.
- Check if your private plan covers it as preventive care. Many do at $0 for women 65 and over.
- For a fitness body composition scan, look for a membership clinic. Repeat scans drop to $40 to $75.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from CoveredUSA, The Fountain and Composition ID. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a DEXA scan cost without insurance?
CoveredUSA lists $100 to $200 at imaging centers and $200 to $600 at hospitals. The Fountain lists bone density scans at $150 to $400.
Is a DEXA scan worth it?
A bone density scan can find weak bones before a break. A body composition scan is for fitness tracking and is not needed for most people.
How long does a DEXA scan take?
Most scans take about 10 to 20 minutes. You lie still on a table while the machine passes over you.
Is there a cheaper way?
Choose an imaging center over a hospital. CoveredUSA says hospital departments can cost much more for the same scan.