DEXA Scan Cost in Boston

A single body-composition DEXA scan in the Boston metro runs from about $39.95 (BodySpec mobile vans) to $180 (Fitnescity, single scan at its Brookline partner). The two Brookline and Cambridge studios — DEXA Scan Boston and DexaFit Boston — price in a roughly $40-$150 per-scan band that they confirm at booking. Multi-scan bundles lower the cost: Fitnescity drops to $155 per scan on a 4-pack. These are advertised estimates that change; confirm current pricing directly with the clinic.

On a per-scan basis, BodySpec advertises the lowest entry price in Boston at $39.95 through its mobile vans and neighborhood pop-ups. Unlike some larger metros, Boston does not have a sub-$100 fixed independent studio — the budget tier here is mobile. DEXA Scan Boston offers 40% off a first scan with code FIRST40, which can bring an introductory visit down. Cheapest is not always best; also weigh location, equipment, and whether you want physician review. Verify current pricing with each provider before booking.

A DEXA scan ordered for bone-density screening can be covered — Medicare Part B covers a bone-mass measurement once every 24 months for people who qualify, and many commercial Massachusetts plans cover osteoporosis screening. A DEXA scan for body composition (body fat and lean mass) is generally considered elective and paid out of pocket. The cash prices on this page are body-composition scans. Confirm coverage with your insurer and the clinic.

A full-body composition DEXA scan delivers roughly 4-5 microsieverts (µSv) of radiation, per BodySpec’s published figures. For context, the U.S. average background dose is about 8-10 µSv per day, and a chest X-ray is roughly 20 µSv. The dose is low, but it is still ionizing radiation — discuss frequency with a clinician if you are pregnant or scan often. This is information, not medical advice.

The Boston metro has four verified body-composition providers: BodySpec (mobile vans and pop-ups citywide), DEXA Scan Boston and a Fitnescity partner location both on Beacon Street in Brookline, and DexaFit Boston in Cambridge on Concord Ave. Several are physician-supervised or pair DEXA with VO2 max and RMR metabolic testing. See the full, regularly updated list on the Boston DEXA clinic directory and confirm hours and pricing before you book.

A DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan measures body fat, lean (muscle) mass, and bone density, and breaks those down by region — arms, legs, and trunk — plus a visceral-fat estimate. UCSF notes DXA is highly accurate compared with most other body-composition methods and tells a clearer story than BMI; in one UCSF figure, 18.5% of women with a normal BMI had excess fat visible on DXA.