DEXA (bone density) — fast facts

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Very low-dose x-ray of lumbar spine + hip to measure bone mineral density. Diagnoses and monitors osteoporosis.

Key facts

• Length: ~15 minutes
• Booking: Pre-book. Lalor only — Lalor is the only UR site with a DEXA scanner, available every day. All UR DEXA bookings go to Lalor regardless of where the patient called.
• Radiation: Very low dose
• Sites scanned: Lumbar spine + hip. If hip replacement or spinal surgery, forearm is the alternate site
• Metal = contraindication in the region of interest

Common indications

• Osteoporosis screening in patients 70+
• Prolonged glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy
• Monitoring known osteoporosis / minimal-trauma fracture follow-up
• Chronic conditions: hyperparathyroidism, CKD, liver disease, Crohn's/coeliac, RA, thyroxine excess
• Male or female hypogonadism

Referral requirements & MBS eligibility

Medicare criteria are strict. If the patient doesn't meet criteria on the day, they pay the full fee or cancel. Always flag this at booking.

Item selection hinges on age + prior DEXA result + clinical indication. Patients 70+ with no other indication default to 12320 or 12322. A clinical indication always beats the age-only items.

Bulk-billing

Patient prep

Patient prep

• •No fasting or special prep
• •Wear clothing without metal (zippers, buttons, underwire) around hips and spine — gown available if needed
• •Bring any previous DEXA reports and the date of last scan
• •Flag recent nuclear medicine, CT, or barium studies in the past week (can affect scan)
• •Advise: if Medicare criteria aren't met, full fee applies

MBS codes