Endocrine Insider
August 19, 2009

(See Full Issue)

The Endocrine Society recently issued a Position Statement, endorsed by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, calling for Medicare coverage of preventative bone density testing to be extended to men with hypogonadism.  Despite the clear association of testosterone deficiency with low bone density and osteoporosis, Medicare does not provide coverage for bone density testing for men with this condition. Medicare currently provides coverage for DXA scans in men only when an individual has had a vertebral bone fracture or has been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. This means that most men with osteoporosis are diagnosed only after a fracture, usually of the hip or spine, has already occurred.

The lack of Medicare coverage for DXA scans in men with hypogonadism results in underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteoporosis, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and mortality for patients and in significant cost to society. In 2005, osteoporosis-related fractures in men were responsible for an estimated $4.3 billion in health care costs. By 2025, experts predict that these costs will rise to approximately $6.3 billion.

The Society’s position statement was developed by a task force of experts in the field of bone health and was approved by the Society’s Clinical Affairs Core Committee and Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee. The statement was then open for public comment to Society members, after which it was approved by the Society’s Council.

The Position Statement is available on the Society’s website at: http://www.endo-society.org/advocacy/policy