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 »
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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 »
Are You at Risk for Developing Bone Disease? »
The National Osteoporosis Foundation Joins Organizations Worldwide to Raise Awareness about Osteoporosis and the Risk of Fractures on World Osteoporosis Day, October 20th Did you know that weak bones are not a normal part of aging? Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile, so that they break easily – even from a minor fall… Read more »
NOF Response to NPR Article – Wider Use Of Osteoporosis Drug… »
“This is an extremely important paper,” says Dr. Ethel Siris, a Columbia University medical professor who specializes in thinning bones and wasn’t involved in the study. “We now know that we have a therapy that has been shown to be highly effective.” “This could prevent a lot of fractures,” says Siris, who is on the… Read more »
New York Times Article: Your Lifetime Health Check Up Roadmap »
This recent New York Times article details the routine screening exams you should undergo to catch health problems at any age, including asking for a bone density test in your 60’s. Many of the leading killers of Americans are chronic diseases that can be prevented with healthy habits like a good diet and plenty of… Read more »
NPR Article: Wider Use Of Osteoporosis Drug Could Prevent Bone Fractures In More Elderly Women »
In response to a recent NPR article detailing the positive results of a common osteoporosis drug, Elizabeth Thompson, NOF, CEO, said: “When the experts in the field say that this study is “extremely important”, “highly effective”, and “a breakthrough”, we are making progress! Reducing suffering and maintaining life quality is important for our senior population—key… Read more »
NOF Statement on Medicare Part D Cliff »
Washington, DC  – The National Osteoporosis Foundation issued the following statement regarding the impending out-of-pocket cliff threatening the Medicare Part D program: “A looming threat to the Medicare Part D program is set to take effect in 2020 unless Congress takes action. The Part D cliff will significantly increase the catastrophic threshold – the amount… Read more »
NOF Named an Official Charity Partner of the TCS New York City Marathon and Fields a Team of Runners Aged 40+ »
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the leading bone health organization in the U.S., was named an Official Charity Partner of the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon. The race will take place on Sunday, November 4, 2018. For its inaugural team, NOF has secured five women over the age of 40 to join its Be… Read more »
NOF is Advocating for Increased Medicare Reimbursement for DXA Scans »
Fractures related to osteoporosis threaten the health and independence of older Americans. And fractures are common: more than 2 million fractures happen each year due to osteoporosis. The statistics are staggering and unnecessary. A DXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) bone density test is a non-invasive, simple, yet top quality test for screening and diagnosing patients that… Read more »
Leading Organizations Meet To Discuss Unmet Needs In Osteoporosis and Outline An Initial Action Plan »
June 11, 2018| Press Releases On June 11, 2018, leaders from the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and Amgen’s Bone Health and Advocacy Relations teams convened in London, England at the Royal Academy of Medicine. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a concrete plan for a meaningful collaboration between the two organizations. Back row:… Read more »