This week, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the Increasing Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2021 (H.R. 3517) with Reps. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Michael Burgess M.D. (TX-26), and Jackie Walorski (IN-02) to improve access to osteoporosis screening. Fractures caused by osteoporosis are among the most significant challenges threatening the independence and quality of life for… Read more »
Our latest efforts
April is National Minority Health Month »
April 2021 is the National Minority Health Month and the National Osteoporosis Foundation believes that providing awareness and education about bone health will help bridge the disparity gap in healthcare. “We must proactively address disparities in healthcare and help raise awareness about bone health for all Americans.” Claire Gill, CEO National Osteoporosis Foundation Three questions… Read more »
NOF Statement on Access to Osteoporosis Medications Covered Under Medicare Part B During COVID-19 Pandemic »
Contact: Claire Gill, Interim CEO claire.gill@nof.org The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the country’s leading health organization representing 10 million Americans who suffer from osteoporosis, a chronic disease that weakens bone and increases a person’s risk for debilitating and deadly fractures, urges Members of Congress to assure that patients who are covered by Medicare Part B… Read more »
Legislation to Assist in Restoring Patient Access to DXA Testing »
NOF and colleagues in the Fracture Prevention Coalition are supporting legislation – HR 2693 and S283 in Congress. This legislation would help ensure that patients have access to DXA testing by restoring Medicare funding for DXA. We are grateful to the following Members of Congress who have signed on as co-sponsors of this important legislation. Below is a… Read more »
DXA Testing by the Numbers – Updated »
Osteoporosis is under-diagnosed in the Medicare population and the DXA scans are the gold standard for osteoporosis diagnosis, yet in 2007, CMS began significantly reducing reimbursement for DXA scans. This reduced the number of physicians in private offices offering DXA. As a result, fewer women and men were scanned resulting in a decline in osteoporosis… Read more »
13 Leading Aging, Caregiver and Women’s Health Groups Join Forces to Reduce Common and Costly Bone Fractures »
ARLINGTON, VA, (MAY 29, 2019) — In the United States, half of all women and 20 percent of men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime and many will die or be forced into nursing homes as a result. In fact, bone fractures related to osteoporosis are responsible… Read more »
National Bone Health Policy Institute Responds to Proposed Rules »
NOF on behalf of the NBHPI has submitted comments to CMS and HHS regarding proposed rules that could impact osteoporosis patients access to testing and treatment. Comment letters have been submitted for the following: December 31, 2019 – Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: International Price Index Model for Medicare Part B Drugs CMS-5528-ANPRM January 25,… Read more »
NOF Statement on Medicare Part B »
Washington, DC (October 25, 2018) – The National Osteoporosis Foundation issued the following statement regarding announced changes the Medicare Part B program: “Medicare Part B is vital to patients living with and managing chronic illnesses, like osteoporosis. Key to treatment under the program is the ability for doctors and patients to tailor care to the… Read more »
DXA Testing by the Numbers »
Osteoporosis is under-diagnosed in the Medicare population according to a recent CDC NHANES survey. DXA scans are the gold standard for osteoporosis diagnosis, yet in 2007, CMS began significantly reducing reimbursement for DXA scans. This reduced the number of physicians in private offices offering DXA. As a result, fewer women and men were scanned resulting… Read more »
NOF Statement On Medicare Open Enrollment »
Patient Group Urges Fix To DXA Screening Reimbursement Rates To Encourage More Osteoporosis Screenings Today, as Medicare Open Enrollment starts, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) urged policymakers to raise the reimbursement rates for x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screenings, which are the gold standard for osteoporosis screenings. Currently, bipartisan bills are sitting in both Chambers that would… Read more »