Bone density scan (DEXA) Cost by Hospital

Bone density scan (DEXA) is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2105 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$372median cash price · 2105 hospitals, 52 statestypically $124–$883 depending on the hospital
≈ 9.4× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$626
Cash / self-pay
$372
Insurer-negotiated
$155
Medicare pays
$39
$124$883
Median cash $372  ·  Medicare $39  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $372 — about 9.4× the Medicare rate ($39). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($79).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $626 list price could save about $254 (41%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
Quick fill:

Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Aspire Hospital Conroe, TX $56 $213 — — —
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights Harker Heights, TX $56 $219 ★ 4/5 174 min 16.3%
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $57 $47 ★ 4/5 319 min 15.9%
Hutchinson Health Hutchinson, MN $58 $109 ★ 3/5 140 min 15.2%
Bsa Hospital Amarillo, TX $58 $407 ★ 2/5 217 min 14.8%
Sisters of Charity Hospital Buffalo, NY $60 $33 ★ 3/5 197 min 15.3%
Mount St. Mary's Hospital & Health Center Lewiston, NY $60 $32 ★ 2/5 163 min 15.3%
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $65 $82 ★ 4/5 157 min 15.0%
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $65 $82 ★ 2/5 210 min 13.5%
Sabine Medical Center Many, LA $66 $220 — 128 min 15.4%
Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital Nacogdoches, TX $67 $107 ★ 2/5 178 min 15.4%
Jefferson Regional Medical Center Pine Bluff, AR $67 $99 ★ 1/5 200 min 15.3%
Hills & Dales General Hospital Cass City, MI $68 $265 ★ 4/5 94 min 14.7%
St Joseph's Hospital-Savannah Savannah, GA $68 $128 ★ 2/5 206 min 14.7%
McLaren Greater Lansing Lansing, MI $68 $14 ★ 3/5 259 min 14.7%
Oklahoma Center for Orthopaedic & Multi-Sp Oklahoma City, OK $69 $135 — — 15.3%
Ochsner Medical Center Acute New Orleans, LA $69 $191 ★ 4/5 168 min 16.2%
Ochsner St Mary Morgan City, LA $72 $104 ★ 2/5 81 min 15.4%
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-St Mary Medical Cent Shreveport, LA $72 $104 ★ 2/5 — —
Community Hospital Grand Junction, CO $72 $110 ★ 4/5 140 min 14.0%
Hospital Comunitario Buen Samaritano Inc Aguadilla, PR $73 $31 — — 15.7%
Ochsner St Anne General Hospital Raceland, LA $74 $118 — 119 min 14.5%
San Joaquin General Hospital French Camp, CA $76 $134 ★ 2/5 218 min 15.2%
Byrd Regional Hospital Leesville, LA $77 $152 ★ 2/5 123 min 17.4%
Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Leesville Leesville, LA $77 $152 — — —

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated June 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Bone density scan (DEXA)

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $372; Medicare pays $39.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$31
$8 – $44
Independent Health 30
$40
$10 – $210
Medicaid 331
$43
$8 – $147
Highmark 127
$48
$20 – $204
Amerigroup 157
$63
$18 – $141
SelectHealth 45
$85
$24 – $321
Geisinger 68
$96
$12 – $394
Anthem 520
$97
$19 – $357
Medicare 546
$97
$9 – $165
Tricare / VA 388
$98
$10 – $339
Molina Healthcare 512
$98
$19 – $237
AmeriHealth 211
$99
$12 – $303
MVP Health Care 85
$102
$14 – $559
Devoted Health 149
$103
$94 – $126
Centene / Ambetter 740
$103
$20 – $334
Priority Health 59
$104
$14 – $443
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1207
$107
$20 – $483
UCare 71
$109
$22 – $480
UPMC Health Plan 83
$113
$50 – $393
Harvard Pilgrim 57
$116
$23 – $596
Humana 975
$123
$33 – $423
EmblemHealth 65
$131
$66 – $294
Oscar Health 132
$134
$23 – $340
UnitedHealthcare 1410
$135
$26 – $509
Cigna 1065
$145
$53 – $665
Bright Health 36
$147
$39 – $358
Medica 237
$147
$30 – $582
Kaiser Permanente 207
$148
$26 – $517
Aetna 1295
$148
$33 – $632
HealthPartners 259
$216
$24 – $670
Healthcare Highways 42
$248
$113 – $549
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 131
$270
$33 – $524
Sanford Health Plan 77
$271
$39 – $616
Security Health Plan 59
$279
$33 – $573
AvMed 55
$299
$91 – $697
Health Net 278
$309
$28 – $864
Coventry 138
$436
$52 – $879
MultiPlan / PHCS network 785
$445
$82 – $903

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Puerto Rico$105
Arkansas$114
Tennessee$161
Louisiana$164
New Jersey$181
Rhode Island$186

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXHouston, TXBaltimore, MDDallas, TXNew York, NYBrooklyn, NYCincinnati, OHFort Worth, TXSacramento, CABronx, NYCharlotte, NCKansas City, MOLos Angeles, CAMilwaukee, WINashville, TNBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARRochester, NYSaint Louis, MOSan Diego, CASan Francisco, CAAnaheim, CA

Prices by state

CaliforniaTexasOhioFloridaNew YorkIllinoisWisconsinPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaIowaGeorgiaTennesseeColoradoMissouriNebraskaIndianaVirginiaSouth DakotaArkansasOklahomaKentuckyKansasWashingtonNew JerseyMassachusettsWest VirginiaMaineArizonaAlabamaNorth DakotaSouth CarolinaMarylandOregonMontanaIdahoMississippiNew HampshireUtahConnecticutPuerto RicoWyomingNevadaNew MexicoDelawareHawaiiVermontRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2105 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $372, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $626, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $155, a Medicare rate of about $39. Most cash prices fall between $124 and $883 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Bone density scan (DEXA) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2105 US hospitals is $372. Most hospitals fall between $124 and $883. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
What does Medicare pay for Bone density scan (DEXA)?
Medicare pays about $39. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Bone density scan (DEXA) prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

Related Imaging & Radiology

Chest X-rayX-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views)Chest X-ray (2 views)X-ray of the neck (cervical spine)X-ray of the pelvisChest X-ray (1 view)X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine)Abdominal ultrasound

See more Imaging & Radiology.