Important: This page provides general information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your bone health, please speak to your doctor.
How to Get a DXA Scan in Ireland
Getting a bone density (DXA) scan in Ireland requires either a doctor referral into the public system, or self-referral to a private clinic. This page explains both pathways and what to expect.
Step 1 — Talk to Your Doctor
The most common route to a DXA scan in Ireland is through your doctor. Your doctor will:
- Review your risk factors for osteoporosis (age, family history, menopause status, medical history, medications)
- May calculate a FRAX score to estimate your 10-year fracture risk
- Decide whether a DXA scan is clinically appropriate
- Write a referral letter to a hospital radiology department or bone density clinic
It helps to go prepared. You can use our Questions to Ask Your Doctor guide before your appointment.
The Public (HSE) Pathway
If you are referred through the public system, your doctor will send a referral to a DXA service at a public hospital. DXA scanning is available at most large public hospitals in Ireland.
- ✔ No upfront cost for public patients with a valid referral
- ✔ Medical card holders are entitled to public hospital services free of charge
- ⚠ Waiting times can vary — typically weeks to a few months depending on location and urgency
- ℹ Urgent referrals (e.g., after a fragility fracture) are generally prioritised
To find your nearest HSE radiology service, visit hse.ie and search for bone density or DXA services in your area.
Private Pathway
DXA scans are available privately at many private hospitals and independent diagnostic imaging centres across Ireland. Advantages of the private route include:
- Shorter waiting times — often within days
- Some private centres accept self-referral (no doctor letter required)
- Flexible appointment times
How Much Is a DXA Scan in Ireland?
As of September 2026, the two largest national providers both publish a starting price of €120 for a private DXA scan. Affidea lists €120 at its Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Letterkenny and Portlaoise centres, and Alliance Medical lists its DXA scan “from €120”. Smaller independent clinics and private hospitals sit in a broader band of roughly €80 to €150.
| Route | What you pay | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Public hospital, medical card holder | No charge | Weeks to a few months |
| Public hospital, no medical card | Standard outpatient charges may apply | Weeks to a few months |
| Private clinic, self-funded | From about €120 | Often within days |
| Private clinic, health insurance | Often covered — confirm with your insurer first | Often within days |
| Urgent referral after a fracture | Follows your public or private route | Generally prioritised |
Prices checked against providers' own published price lists in September 2026. Always confirm the current price with the centre before you book — this page is not affiliated with any provider.
Is a DXA Scan Covered by the Medical Card?
Yes, through the public system. A full medical card entitles you to public hospital services, including DXA scanning, free of charge once you have a valid referral from your doctor. There is no separate application and no additional form — your medical card number and the referral letter are enough.
Two things people are commonly caught out by. First, the medical card does not cover a scan you book yourself at a private clinic; the entitlement applies to the public hospital pathway only. Second, if you hold a doctor visit card rather than a full medical card, standard hospital outpatient charges can still apply — check with the hospital before you attend.
Is a DXA Scan Covered by VHI, Laya or Irish Life Health?
Often, but it depends on your plan rather than on your insurer. Cover for DXA scanning is usually handled under outpatient or day-to-day benefits, which means it may be subject to an excess, an annual limit, or a requirement that you attend an approved centre. Before booking:
- Ring your insurer and quote the procedure as a DXA (bone densitometry) scan
- Ask whether the centre you intend to use is an approved or direct-settlement centre
- Ask whether a doctor referral letter is required for the claim, even if the clinic does not require one
- Ask whether an excess applies, and whether you claim back or the clinic bills your insurer directly
Can I Get a DXA Scan Without a Referral in Ireland?
Sometimes. Some private centres accept self-referral, meaning you can book and pay without a letter from your doctor. It is worth understanding the trade-off before you do:
- You will get a number, but nobody is obliged to interpret it for you or to act on it
- Insurers frequently refuse claims for self-referred scans
- Your doctor may not have the clinical background — medications, fracture history, family history — that changes what the result means
Self-referral makes most sense when you already know you have risk factors and your doctor has declined a referral. Even then, bring the report back to your doctor. A T-score on its own is not a management plan.
Where to Get a DXA Scan, by County
DXA scanning is available in every province through a mix of public hospitals and private centres. The list below shows where services are provided; it is a starting point for your own search rather than a recommendation, and coverage changes, so confirm before travelling.
| Region | Where DXA scanning is provided |
|---|---|
| Dublin | Public hospital bone-health units including St James's Hospital, plus private centres in Blackrock, Smithfield, Swords, Cherrywood and Clonsilla |
| Cork | Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital, plus private centres in Mahon, Little Island and Blackrock Hall |
| Galway | University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital, plus private centres in Galway city |
| Limerick | Bon Secours Hospital Limerick and private centres in the city |
| Kerry | University Hospital Kerry, plus centres in Tralee and Killarney |
| Waterford & the South East | Private centres in Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford General Hospital |
| Midlands | Midland Regional Hospitals Portlaoise and Tullamore, plus Mullingar and Athlone |
| North East | Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, plus Navan |
| North West | Letterkenny and Sligo |
| Mayo, Clare & Tipperary | Castlebar, Ennis, Thurles and Ballinasloe |
Compiled September 2026 from providers' own published location lists. FragilityFracture.ie is independent and receives nothing from any centre listed. If your county is not shown, your doctor's referral will be sent to the nearest hospital offering the service.
What to Bring
- Your doctor referral letter (for public or private scan)
- Your medical card or private health insurance details (if applicable)
- A list of your current medications (some medications are noted on the report)
- Any previous DXA scan results, if you have them
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zips or fastenings if possible
Women should inform the scanning team if there is any possibility of pregnancy, as X-rays are generally avoided during pregnancy (though DXA radiation is very low).
After the Scan
Results are typically sent to your referring doctor within 1–2 weeks. Your doctor will then contact you to discuss the results and next steps. If you have not heard within two weeks of your scan, contact your doctor's surgery to follow up.
For help understanding your results, see our Understanding Your Results page.
DXA Scans in Ireland: Common Questions
How much is a DXA scan in Ireland?
A private DXA scan starts at about €120. The two largest national providers, Affidea and Alliance Medical, both publish €120 as their starting price as of September 2026, and independent clinics generally sit between €80 and €150. Through the public hospital system with a doctor's referral, a medical card holder pays nothing.
Is a DXA scan covered by the medical card?
Yes, in the public system. A full medical card entitles you to public hospital services including DXA scanning free of charge, once your doctor has referred you. It does not cover a scan you book privately yourself. A doctor visit card is not the same thing, and standard outpatient charges may still apply.
Can I get a DXA scan without a referral in Ireland?
Some private centres accept self-referral, so you can book and pay without a letter from your doctor. Be aware that health insurers frequently refuse claims for self-referred scans, and that a T-score on its own is not a management plan. Bring the report back to your doctor either way.
Does VHI or Laya cover a DXA scan?
Often, but it depends on your specific plan rather than on the insurer. Cover usually falls under outpatient or day-to-day benefits, which can carry an excess, an annual limit, or a requirement to attend an approved centre. Ring your insurer, quote it as a DXA bone densitometry scan, and confirm before you book.
How long is the wait for a DXA scan in Ireland?
In the public system waits typically run from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the hospital and how urgent your referral is. Referrals made straight after a fragility fracture are generally prioritised. Private appointments are often available within days.
Where can I get a bone density scan near me?
DXA scanning is available in every province in Ireland through a mix of public hospitals and private centres, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Ennis. Your doctor's referral is sent to the nearest hospital providing the service.
Talk to Your Doctor
Start with your doctor. Tell them you are concerned about your bone health and would like to discuss whether a DXA scan is appropriate for you.
You can say: “I'd like to discuss my bone health and whether I should have a DXA scan.”
Questions to Ask Your DoctorLast reviewed: February 2026 — FragilityFracture.ie Editorial Team