CPT 77080: bone density scan (DXA), spine and hips. What Medicare pays and what to ask
A bone density scan is billed as one code. Here is what 77080 covers and what Medicare pays.
What this code means
CPT 77080 is a DXA scan: a low-dose X-ray that measures bone density in the spine, hips and pelvis.
It is used to screen for osteoporosis and to follow treatment.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
Insurers cover bone density tests at set intervals, so a denial may be about timing rather than price.
The Medicare rate is the global amount for the scan and the reading.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $197.05 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $394.10 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $788.20 |
The Medicare rate is a published benchmark, not a legal ceiling on what a provider may charge. Our free scan flags a line as worth a closer look when it is billed at more than 10 times the Medicare rate.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- When was my last bone density scan, and does my plan limit how often it is covered?
- Is the reading billed separately?
- Is the scan listed only once?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
Related codes
Source: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS, July 2026 release), national payment amount, non-facility setting. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rates change each year and a hospital bill can include charges that the benchmark does not cover.