You track your investments down to the basis point. You monitor your company's KPIs in real time. But when it comes to your body composition, you're guessing.
A DEXA scan changes that. It's the clinical gold standard for measuring bone mineral density, body fat distribution, and lean muscle mass with precision that bathroom scales and wearable devices simply cannot match.
Physicians rely on DEXA to assess osteoporosis risk, track metabolic health markers, and establish accurate baselines for patients serious about longevity.
How much does a DEXA scan cost? Expect to pay between $150 and $400 depending on the scan type, facility, and insurance coverage. Body composition scans at wellness centers typically run $40 to $200. Hospital-based bone density scans range from $150 to $400 before insurance.
Let’s break down 2026 pricing by facility type, explains insurance eligibility, and shows you how to get maximum value from this diagnostic investment.
Insurance coverage depends entirely on why you're getting the scan.
Bone density scans ordered to diagnose or monitor osteoporosis are typically covered by most private insurance plans and Medicare. These qualify as medical diagnostic tests when your physician documents clinical necessity.
Body composition scans performed for fitness or wellness tracking are classified as elective. Insurance will not cover them, so they remain out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicare Part B covers bone density testing once every 24 months for beneficiaries at risk of osteoporosis. If you have documented bone loss or take medications affecting bone health, you may qualify for more frequent assessments.
When coverage applies and deductibles are met, you often pay nothing at Medicare-certified facilities.
Private insurers follow similar protocols. Coverage requires a physician's order documenting medical necessity, such as a history of fractures, long-term corticosteroid use, or conditions affecting calcium absorption. Your out-of-pocket responsibility depends on deductible status, copay structure, and network participation.
DEXA scans qualify as eligible expenses under Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts regardless of scan purpose.
Using pre-tax dollars effectively reduces your cost by 25% to 35% based on your marginal tax rate. This option makes routine body composition monitoring more accessible if you're investing in long-term health optimization.
Body composition scans ordered through wellness centers or fitness-focused providers fall on the lower end of the spectrum. These facilities specialize in straightforward pricing because they do not process insurance claims.
Hospital-based bone density scans command higher prices due to facility fees, radiologist interpretation charges, and administrative overhead. However, these scans are more likely to qualify for insurance reimbursement when ordered for osteoporosis screening or fracture risk assessment.
Several variables determine your final cost. Understanding these helps you find the best value without sacrificing accuracy.
Where you get scanned makes a substantial difference.
Hospital imaging departments charge more because they factor in overhead costs including staffing, equipment maintenance, and compliance requirements. Independent imaging centers and wellness clinics operate with leaner budgets and pass those savings to you.
Mobile scan providers offer another option. These services bring the DEXA machine to gyms, corporate offices, or community events. Per-scan costs through mobile providers often range from $65 to $150, making them accessible for routine body composition tracking.
Urban areas with higher costs of living tend to have higher scan prices. A DEXA scan in San Francisco, New York City, or Boston may run $50 to $100 more than the same scan in a smaller metropolitan area. Real estate costs, labor rates, and local competition all influence regional pricing.
That said, major cities also have more options. Competition among providers can drive prices down if you compare multiple facilities before booking.
The reason behind your scan affects both cost and insurance eligibility.
A body composition scan for fitness tracking is considered elective and will almost always be an out-of-pocket expense. A bone density scan ordered to screen for osteoporosis qualifies as a medical diagnostic test and may be eligible for partial or full coverage.
If you fall into a high-risk category for bone loss, your physician can order a scan that insurance will likely cover. Risk factors include being over age 65 (women) or 70 (men), having a history of fractures, long-term steroid use, certain thyroid conditions, and significant weight loss.
Some facilities bundle additional services into their scan packages. These may include body composition reports with percentile rankings, consultations with nutritionists or trainers, visceral fat analysis, and metabolic rate testing. Bundled packages often deliver better value if you plan to use the extra services.
Watch for facilities that unbundle charges. Separate fees for the scan, interpretation, report delivery, and follow-up consultations can add $50 to $150 to your total cost.
DEXA is not the only option for measuring body fat and lean mass. But it consistently outperforms alternatives in accuracy and detail.
Bioelectrical impedance devices like InBody scales offer convenience but sacrifice precision. Results fluctuate based on hydration status, recent meals, and time of day. For someone investing in a structured fitness or nutrition program, these inconsistencies make it difficult to measure true progress.
DEXA stands apart because it provides regional data. You learn not just your total body fat percentage but how fat and muscle distribute across your arms, legs, trunk, and visceral region. This granularity helps identify asymmetries, track where you gain or lose muscle, and monitor metabolically dangerous visceral fat deposits.
Some facilities advertise low scan prices but add charges that increase your final bill. Ask about these potential extras before booking.
Strategic planning can significantly reduce your per-scan cost, especially if you intend to track changes over time.
The optimal frequency depends on your goals and what you're measuring.
For fitness and body composition tracking, scanning every three to six months provides enough time to observe meaningful changes without over-monitoring. Significant muscle gain or fat loss takes time, and more frequent scans may reveal noise rather than a clear signal.
For bone density screening, medical guidelines recommend scans every two years for most individuals at risk of osteoporosis. Individuals undergoing treatment for bone loss may require annual scans to evaluate medication effectiveness.
At PrimaryMD, DEXA scans are incorporated into the comprehensive diagnostic panel that forms the foundation of each member's personalized care plan. Your dedicated physician and wellness expert interpret scan results alongside your 93-marker blood panel, VO₂ max testing, and wearable data.
The result: actionable interventions rather than static numbers on a page.
The value of a DEXA scan extends beyond the numbers on the report. This diagnostic tool provides actionable intelligence that informs clinical decisions, training protocols, and nutritional strategies with precision that justifies the investment.
Here’s why the scan is worth it:
DEXA remains the reference standard against which all other methods are validated. For patients tracking changes over months or years, this consistency eliminates the noise that plagues less reliable methods. You measure real progress rather than hydration fluctuations or device variability.
Unlike single-number body fat estimates, DEXA maps fat and lean mass distribution across specific body regions. This granularity reveals visceral fat accumulation, identifies muscle imbalances between limbs, and tracks where composition changes occur.
Your physician can use this data to customize exercise prescriptions and flag metabolic risk factors that surface-level assessments miss.
A single hip fracture carries average medical costs exceeding $30,000 and significantly impacts quality of life. The modest cost of periodic DEXA screening represents a fraction of the expense and suffering associated with preventable skeletal injuries.
A standalone DEXA result tells you where you are. Combined with blood panels, metabolic testing, and ongoing health coaching, your results become part of a comprehensive health profile. This integration transforms raw numbers into personalized recommendations that evolve with your health trajectory.
A DEXA scan gives you powerful information about your body. The real value emerges when that data informs a coordinated plan built around your specific goals, which is what concierge medicine offers.
At PrimaryMD, DEXA scans are part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach that includes advanced blood panels with 93+ biomarkers, VO₂ max testing for cardiovascular fitness, and continuous wearable integration.
Your dedicated physician and wellness expert interpret these results together during your 2-hour intake session and build a personalized care plan that evolves as you do.
You receive quarterly wellness reviews, monthly check-ins with your health coach, and same-day access when concerns arise. Your care team tracks your progress over time and adjusts your plan based on real data, not guesswork.
If you're ready to move beyond reactive healthcare and start investing in proactive health optimization, join the PrimaryMD waitlist to learn how membership-based concierge medicine can help you reach your goals.
Expect to pay between $150 and $400 depending on the scan type, facility, and whether insurance applies. Body composition scans at private wellness centers cost $40 to $150 on average. Hospital-based bone density scans range from $150 to $400 before insurance.
Insurance typically covers bone density scans when medically indicated for osteoporosis screening or monitoring. Body composition scans for fitness purposes are considered elective and are not covered. Check with your insurer and ask your physician to document medical necessity if applicable.
Private wellness centers and independent imaging facilities charge $150 to $300 for body composition scans. These providers do not process insurance claims, so you pay the quoted price directly. This route often costs less than hospital-based scans even without insurance coverage.
For individuals serious about optimizing their health, DEXA delivers value that other methods cannot match. The precision and regional detail justify the investment when you use the data to inform training, nutrition, and medical decisions. A single accurate baseline is worth more than dozens of inconsistent readings from bathroom scales or wearable devices.