How much does Bone density scan (DEXA) cost in San Diego?

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $173 at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas to $756 at UC San Diego Health, based on the hospitals' own federally mandated price files.

Is it cheaper to pay cash than use insurance?

Sometimes. Several hospitals publish discounted cash prices below the rates insurers negotiate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the self-pay price.

Why do prices differ so much between hospitals?

Each hospital negotiates rates separately with each insurer, and hospitals in the same health system usually share one contract. The same procedure with the same insurer can cost several times more across town.

Costs · Imaging · Bone density scan (DEXA) · San Diego · code 77080

How much does a bone density scan (DEXA) cost in San Diego?

Low-dose x-ray scan of the hip and spine to measure bone density and screen for osteoporosis. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 10 San Diego-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$173

lowest median negotiated rate

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas

$756

highest (adult hospitals)

UC San Diego Health

4.4×

price spread

same procedure, same metro

Rates shown

Median negotiated rate per hospital · sorted low → high · hover a bar for the full receipt

cash (self-pay) price

Hospital	Gross charge	Cash price	Negotiated	Range	# rates	vs median

* Specialty hospital (pediatric or cancer center) — rates reflect specialty case mix. † Median based on fewer than 3 published rates — treat as indicative. Bars show the median dollar-denominated commercial negotiated rate; hospitals sharing a health-system contract show similar rates.

SOURCE: standard-charges files from 10 hospitals · file dates 2026-03-30 → 2026-04-01 · retrieved 2026-08-14

Paying cash can beat using insurance. At Scripps Green Hospital, the self-pay price is $127 — less than the $178 median commercial-insurer rate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the cash rate.

← Bone density scan (DEXA): overview