Logo
Colorado

Cost of a DEXA Scan Visit
in Colorado

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Colorado's active outdoor lifestyle and aging population drive strong demand for bone density screening, with DEXA scans available across the state's 1,411 active radiology providers. Professional component rates for DEXA scans in Colorado range between $8 and $90, with a median of $39, running slightly below the national average. Colorado patients can browse providers statewide to compare costs and find convenient locations for their bone density imaging needs.

Average

$46

Median

$39

Lowest

$8

Highest

$90

Providers

1,411

National avg: $54Colorado: $46

15% below national average

HSA/FSA eligible

Always available primary care

Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does dexa scan compare to related procedures in Colorado?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$95$315$1,0151,451
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$60$194$6421,531
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$65$188$6631,437
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$80$257$6721,656
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$55$157$4411,721

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 77080 — Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone density study, axial skeleton). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 77080 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 77080 (Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone density study, axial skeleton), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 77080 covers: the provider's professional fee for dexa scan. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why DEXA Scan Visit Costs Vary Across Colorado

Colorado's imaging market is characterized by high freestanding center density along the Front Range, creating robust competition between regional chains like RAYUS and Penrad and hospital systems. This competitive environment generally keeps DEXA costs lower in urban areas compared to rural markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Front Range corridor from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs offers dense imaging center coverage with multiple options for DEXA scans within short driving distances. Rural Colorado and Western Slope communities often depend more heavily on hospital outpatient departments, which typically charge higher rates. Patients in rural areas may benefit from traveling to Front Range cities for more competitive pricing.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Freestanding imaging centers like RAYUS and Penrad in Colorado typically offer cash-pay DEXA scans for $50 to $100 due to lower overhead costs. Hospital outpatient departments at UCHealth, HealthONE, and other health systems often charge $200 to $300 for the same scan due to higher facility fees and administrative costs.

Insurance Market Competition in Colorado

Colorado's insurance market features moderate concentration with competitive pricing pressures in the Front Range corridor where most residents live. The state's robust individual marketplace and employer plan options create multiple coverage pathways for DEXA scans. Rural areas may have fewer insurance network choices, potentially limiting provider options.

Imaging Center Density

Colorado's 1,411 active DEXA providers are well distributed throughout the Denver and Colorado Springs metropolitan areas, providing patients with multiple options for comparison shopping. The high provider density in urban areas creates competitive pricing pressure that benefits patients paying cash or with high-deductible plans. Rural areas have fewer options but still maintain reasonable access through hospital outpatient departments.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — DEXA Scan Costs in Colorado

What is the average cost of a DEXA scan in Colorado without insurance?

Professional component rates for DEXA scans in Colorado range from $8 to $90, with a median of $39, though this represents only the physician interpretation portion. Total costs including the technical component typically range from $75 at freestanding imaging centers to $300 at hospital outpatient departments. Freestanding centers like RAYUS and Penrad generally offer the most affordable cash-pay options for uninsured patients.

Does Health First Colorado (Medicaid) cover DEXA scans?

Yes, Health First Colorado covers DEXA scans when medically indicated for osteoporosis screening and risk assessment. Coverage is typically provided every 24 months for at-risk patients, including women 65 and older, men 70 and older, or younger patients with documented risk factors. Your provider will need to document medical necessity and the scan must be performed at a participating facility.

How do I find an affordable DEXA scan in Colorado?

Compare prices between freestanding imaging centers like RAYUS and Penrad, which typically offer lower cash-pay rates than hospital facilities. Ask about self-pay discounts, which can reduce costs by 30-50% compared to insurance-billed rates. Consider traveling to the Denver metro area if you're in a rural location, as competition keeps prices lower in urban markets.

What is the difference between bone density DEXA and body composition DEXA?

Bone density DEXA (CPT code 77080) measures bone mineral density for osteoporosis screening and is typically covered by insurance when medically indicated. Body composition DEXA measures muscle mass, fat percentage, and bone density for fitness or research purposes but uses different protocols and is rarely covered by insurance. The scans use similar equipment but have different medical coding and coverage policies.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a DEXA scan in Colorado?

Yes, you can use HSA or FSA funds for medically indicated bone density DEXA scans prescribed by your physician. Body composition DEXA scans may also be HSA-eligible if recommended by a physician for a specific medical condition, but purely elective fitness tracking scans typically don't qualify. Keep your physician's order and receipts for HSA/FSA documentation.

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

For at-risk groups, bone density DEXA scans are typically recommended every 2 years for screening purposes, following Medicare and major insurer guidelines. Patients with diagnosed osteoporosis may need more frequent monitoring, sometimes annually, to track treatment effectiveness. Your physician will determine the appropriate frequency based on your individual risk factors and bone density results.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$34
$116

Office visit (CPT 77080)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1Colorado
Range: $8 – $90
$46
DEXA Scan in Other States