Preventive screenings, such as bone density tests, can help identify potential medical problems. Medicare covers some costs. Bone density tests may help prevent expensive reparative treatments.

Question: I am 62-year-old woman who has been fairly healthy most of my life. I try to walk daily and eat right. I’ve never had a fracture or bone health issues. But after my annual physical this year ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: The results for my last bone density test show not only a T-score but also a Z-score. For my spine (L1 through L4), the T-score is -3.4, while the Z-score is -1.4. Can you please ...

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that’s common in the United States, affecting almost 20 percent of women and 5 percent of men over age 50. Osteoporosis occurs when bones are weakened by hormone shifts ...

A technology developed at Ohio University may do a better job of identifying older women at risk for broken bones than the current standard bone density test.

Medicare covers bone density scans once every 2 years or more frequently if medically necessary. If you meet eligibility requirements and use a facility that accepts Medicare, there are no ...