Medicare · Bone health
Who can refer me for a bone-density scan?
By Patrick LeachPublisher: HerDoc
Your GP or specialist can refer you for a bone-density scan after assessing whether it would help with your care. A Medicare rebate depends on whether you meet the scan's eligibility rules. Before booking, ask the imaging provider whether it accepts your referral, what you will need to pay and how you will receive the results. Check the current MBS guidance for bone densitometry.
A bone-density scan, also called a DXA or DEXA scan, measures the density of your bones. It can help you and your clinician understand fracture risk and decide whether any further assessment or care would be useful.
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What changes for bone-density scan referrals from 1 November 2026?
From 1 November 2026, participating nurse practitioners will also be able to refer patients for Medicare-eligible bone-density scans. This adds another referral pathway alongside GPs and specialists. The scan must still meet Medicare's eligibility rules, and the imaging provider may charge an out-of-pocket fee. Check the cost before booking. Read the Australian Government MBS factsheet.
Could a scan help me?
Not everyone needs a bone-density scan simply because they have reached menopause. A clinician may suggest one when age, a previous fracture after a minor fall or injury, early loss of ovarian function, certain medicines or health conditions, or other risk factors make the result likely to change care.
Premature ovarian insufficiency, or POI, is a specific situation. The international POI guideline recommends a DXA scan when POI is diagnosed, where it is available. For menopause at the usual age, the decision is based on your age and individual risks rather than menopause alone.
Will Medicare cover the scan?
An appropriate referral and Medicare eligibility are separate questions. The MBS includes an initial age-based pathway for people aged 70 or over, as well as other items with their own clinical criteria. Each item also has rules about when another scan can attract a rebate.
Meeting an MBS item's criteria does not necessarily mean the scan will be free. The imaging provider sets its fee and decides whether to bulk bill. When you book, ask what Medicare rebate is expected and what you will need to pay.
What should I ask before booking?
Contact the imaging provider and ask:
- whether they can accept your referral;
- what the total out-of-pocket cost will be;
- what to wear and whether any preparation is needed;
- whether to bring earlier scans or reports; and
- how the report will reach the clinician who referred you.
A typical DXA scan measures the hip and spine. It uses a small amount of radiation, is painless and does not involve going into a tunnel. Preparation varies, so follow the provider's instructions. Tell them if you may be pregnant, have relevant implants, or recently had a contrast or nuclear-medicine test. InsideRadiology explains what happens during a bone mineral density scan.
What happens after the scan?
The report needs to be considered alongside your age, fracture history, medicines, health conditions and other risks. A single number should not be used to diagnose yourself or change medicines or supplements.
Before the scan, ask who will discuss the result with you and whether you need to book a separate appointment. If you have a new injury or think you may have broken a bone, seek timely assessment rather than waiting for a routine bone-density scan.