DEXA scans in DC?

January 3, 2011 11:19 AM

Can anyone recommend a particular clinic in the DC area where I can get a DEXA scan for bone density & body-fat measuring?

I've found one place, the Center of Diabetes, but they charge $250 for the scan, and I'm hoping to pay a little less than that.

posted by jacob to Health & Fitness (1 answer total)

How is it you're doing this without physician guidance (who could refer you to somewhere?)

The Virginia Hospital Center does them as does iNOVA. Googling DEXA along with an area zip code (I'm using an Arlington one, thus why I am getting VA-centric hits) turns up a number of centers who list it as a service. Looks like many radiology centers offer it.

If you're doing this out-of-pocket and do not have insurance you're likely getting a shittier price; the reality in the medical field is that the way you get reasonable costs for things is to have a heavy-hitter negotiate a discounted rate. It's why the bills to the uninsured are so high and why the line-items on a services received sheet from your insurance company show a big price and then a discounted one which was actually paid.

The point being, the quoted unassociated price you get with a quick phone call is likely the worst possible one. You may be able to do better after some discussion; perhaps ask if they will let you pay the Blue Cross/Blue Shield negotiated rate, or simply call and pretend that's who you're with to get a comparative. Probably won't be able to bluff that w/o a plan number but it might be worth a shot.
posted by phearlez at 12:43 PM on January 3, 2011