DEXA Scan Prices in Boston, MA

4 providers · 3 with a published price · last checked 2026-10-26

Not counted as cheapest: BodySpec advertises scans "from $39.95". That starting price applies to its membership plans; its one-off single-scan price isn't published in a form we can verify, so check it on their booking page.

"Call / unlisted" means we couldn't find a price on the lab's own site. We never estimate. "via DEXASCAN.com" prices come from that booking marketplace and may differ from booking directly. Click a column header to sort.

What drives DEXA prices in Boston

We track 4 DEXA providers in Boston; 3 publish a price online and 1 ask you to call. Published single-scan prices run from $147 to $149, a spread of $2, so where you book matters more than the scan itself. Chains here (BodySpec, DexaFit) post set prices online, and some also sell multi-scan packages or memberships that lower the per-scan cost if you retest. BodySpec advertises a "starting at" price ($39.95) that applies to its membership plans, not a one-off scan. 2 of the listed prices come from the DEXASCAN.com marketplace, which can differ from booking the clinic directly.

How much does a DEXA scan cost in Boston?

Published single-test prices in Boston range from $147 to $149, with a median of $148, across 2 labs that list prices online (checked 2026-10-26). Prices here are the standard self-pay price for one test. Packages, memberships and first-visit offers can be cheaper; see each lab's notes. What is a DEXA scan?

Does insurance or HSA/FSA cover a DEXA body composition scan?

Fitness-style body composition DEXA scans are usually paid out of pocket. Medicare Part B covers diagnostic bone mass measurements (once every 24 months, or more often if medically necessary) only for people who meet specific medical criteria. Many people pay with HSA or FSA funds, but eligibility depends on your plan; some administrators ask for a Letter of Medical Necessity from a clinician. Check with your plan and the lab before you book.

How should I prepare for a DEXA scan?

Typical provider instructions: eat and drink as you normally do, skip intense exercise and sauna for about 12 hours beforehand, wear one layer of light, metal-free clothing, remove jewelry, and empty your pockets. Reschedule if you've had a barium or contrast-dye exam in the last two weeks. If you scan more than once, follow the same routine each time so results are comparable.

How much radiation is in a DEXA scan?

Very little. The Health Physics Society lists a whole-body DEXA at about 0.003 mSv (3 microsieverts), roughly nine hours of natural background radiation in the US, compared with about 0.1 mSv for a chest X-ray. Tell the technologist if you are or might be pregnant.

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

For tracking body composition, providers commonly suggest a follow-up about a month after your baseline if you're making changes, then every 3–4 months for general monitoring. Diagnostic bone-density (osteoporosis) scans are a different test and are usually repeated no sooner than every 2 years unless your doctor needs it sooner.

What's included in a DEXA body composition scan?

A whole-body scan typically reports body fat percentage and where it sits, visceral fat, lean (muscle) mass by region, and a total-body bone measurement, plus a report you keep. Some labs add extras such as muscle indexes (ALMI/FFMI), a consultation or a review call. What's included varies by lab, so compare the listings below. A fitness body-comp scan is not the same as a diagnostic hip/spine bone-density exam.

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