✔ Backed by: International Osteoporosis Foundation · National Institutes of Health (NIAMS) · U.S. Preventive Services Task Force · Medicare. Each fact links to its source, and the full list is at the bottom of this post.
World Osteoporosis Day falls on October 20 each year. The International Osteoporosis Foundation leads it. This year’s campaign theme is “Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life” [1]. It is a good reminder to check on something most of us never think about until something goes wrong: the strength of our bones. It is also a good time to ask whether you need a bone density test.
You can feel a sore knee or a stiff back. But you cannot feel your bones getting thinner. That is why a simple question at your next checkup can matter so much. This post walks you through what osteoporosis is, who is advised to get tested, what Medicare may cover, and how to bring it up with your care team.
What osteoporosis is, and why it is called “silent”
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weaker. Bone mass goes down, and the inside structure of the bone can change. Over time, bones lose strength and become more likely to break [2].
The National Institutes of Health calls it a “silent” disease. Most people have no symptoms. Many do not know they have it until a bone breaks [2]. Breaks happen most often in the hip, the spine, and the wrist. When bones are very fragile, a break can come from a small fall, or even from everyday things like bending, lifting, or a strong cough [2].
Breaks in the spine do not always look like an injury. The NIH notes they can cause back pain, a loss of height, or a stooped or hunched posture [2]. For example, imagine noticing that your pants seem longer than they used to, or that a family member says you look shorter. That is worth mentioning to your clinician. You can say: “I think I may have lost some height. Should we look at my bones?”
A broken hip can change daily life in a big way. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reports that only 40% to 60% of people who break a hip get back to the way they moved and managed daily tasks before the break [3]. Finding weak bones early gives you and your care team time to act.
Who is advised to get a bone density test
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is a national panel of experts that reviews the evidence on screening tests. In January 2025, it recommended bone density screening for all women age 65 and older. It also recommended screening for women younger than 65 who have gone through menopause and are found to be at higher risk of a break [3].
How does a younger woman know if she is at higher risk? The USPSTF describes two steps. First, a clinician looks for risk factors, such as low body weight, a parent who broke a hip, smoking, or drinking a lot of alcohol. Then, if at least one risk factor is present, the clinician can use a risk tool to estimate the chance of a break. One common tool is called FRAX. Then the clinician offers the scan to women whose risk is higher [3].
What about men? The USPSTF says there is not yet enough evidence to recommend for or against screening men. That is not the same as a “no.” The Task Force says that, without clear evidence, men and their clinicians should decide together [3]. Osteoporosis is less common in men, but the NIH notes older men are still at risk [2].
The test itself is usually a DXA scan. DXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It measures bone density, usually at the hip or lower spine [3].
Learn your risk factors
Some risks you cannot change. The NIH lists getting older, being a woman, having a small or thin frame, and having a parent with osteoporosis or a broken hip. Lower hormone levels can also play a role, such as lower estrogen after menopause or low testosterone in men [2].
Other risks are tied to daily habits. These include low calcium or vitamin D in your diet, not getting enough protein, being inactive, smoking, and heavy drinking over a long time [2].
Some health conditions and medicines matter too. The NIH names conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, some digestive diseases, hormone disorders, and certain cancers. It also lists long-term use of some medicines, including steroid medicines, some seizure medicines, and some hormone treatments for breast or prostate cancer [2].
If you take a medicine you think may affect your bones, please do not stop it on your own. Instead, ask the person who prescribed it. You can say: “I read that this medicine may affect bone strength. Is that something we should keep an eye on?”
Check what your coverage may pay
Cost can be a real worry, so it helps to know the rules before you go. Medicare Part B covers a bone mass measurement once every 24 months, or more often if medically needed, for people who meet certain conditions [4].
According to Medicare.gov, these conditions include women whose doctor finds they have low estrogen and are at risk for osteoporosis. They also include people taking or planning to take steroid medicines like prednisone, and people with primary hyperparathyroidism. People whose X-rays show possible weak bones or spine fractures may qualify too. So may people being checked to see if their osteoporosis medicine is working [4].
If your doctor or other provider accepts assignment, you pay nothing for the test [4]. Costs may be different with other insurance, and each plan has its own rules. Call the number on the back of your card. You can say: “Is a bone density test covered for me, and do I need a referral or prior approval?”
Tru-Tips: When you call your plan, write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and what they told you. If a bill comes later that does not match, those notes make it much easier to ask for a review.
Bone density test questions to ask at your next visit
Short visits go fast. Writing your questions down ahead of time helps you remember what matters most to you. Here are a few you can bring:
- “Based on my age and health history, should I have a bone density test?”
- “Do any of my medicines or health conditions affect my bones?”
- “If my results show low bone strength, what are my options?”
- “What can I do now to lower my risk of falling?”
You do not need to ask them all. Pick the one or two that feel most important. If you bring a family member or friend, they can help take notes. Your results belong to you, and it is okay to ask your clinician to explain them in plain words.
Simple daily habits that support your bones
The good news is that small, steady habits can help at any age. The NIH suggests eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, staying active with weight-bearing exercise like walking, not smoking, and keeping alcohol moderate [2]. For people who already have osteoporosis, the NIH notes that prescribed medicines can help prevent breaks [2].
For example, imagine taking a short walk after dinner with a neighbor, or adding a calcium-rich food you already enjoy to your lunch. These are not big changes, but they add up. Because everyone’s body is different, ask your care team what kind and amount of activity is safe for you, especially if you have had a fall or have joint or heart concerns.
Preventing falls matters too. Being less active is linked to a higher chance of falls and broken bones [2]. Simple steps at home, like good lighting on stairs and clearing clutter from walkways, can make a difference. Our Falls and Frailty hub has more ideas.
Let’s talk about it
Have you ever had a bone density test, or talked with your clinician about one? What made it easier or harder to ask? Share a tip in the comments that might help someone else take that first step.
One Tru Step: Write “Should I have a bone density test?” on your list for your next checkup, or call your clinic this week to ask.
Sources and further reading
- World Osteoporosis Day, October 20 – International Osteoporosis Foundation
- Osteoporosis – National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH)
- Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening (January 2025) – U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- Bone Mass Measurements – Medicare.gov
Sources checked October 15, 2026. General education; individual care and coverage questions require an appropriate professional.
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