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ccording to one study, many patients are excluded from the reimbursement of radiological examination of osteoporosis because of too restrictive criteria.The government has decided to facilitate the detection of osteoporosis causes in the fight against this disease, which particularly affects post-menopausal women and causing over 200 000 fractures of the femur neck vertebra or a year.
The X-ray examination measuring bone density will cost 39.96 euros. It is refunded if the answer to defined criteria, ie in case of X-ray osteoporosis symptoms and signs, history of fracture without major trauma, disease or treatment may cause osteoporosis.
For postmenopausal women, the rebate is granted in case of fracture, family history of hip fracture, taking steroids, menopause before age 40, low body mass index and endocrine disorders.
But a recent study shows that patients for whom the review is justified are excluded from reimbursement. It covered 471 patients (87% women). If 413 have been entitled to reimbursement, 58 others did not meet criteria for obtaining it.
The screening was nevertheless quite appropriate for them. Indeed, 57% showed an abnormal bone density: 17% had osteoporosis and 40% had bone depletion (osteopenia).
If these results are confirmed large-scale, it will consider re-evaluate the criteria for reimbursement of the exam. It was unclear how Social Security could justify depriving thousands of people, with the risk that many forgo the screening.
