Osteoporosis Early Detection and Prevention Act of 2005

This bill would require private health insurance companies and group health plans to cover bone mass measurement tests (bone density scans) for individuals at high risk for osteoporosis. Specifically, it mandates coverage for patients with certain medical conditions, such as those undergoing long-term steroid therapy, individuals with thyroid disorders, and women with estrogen deficiencies.

For the average citizen, this legislation aims to make early detection and monitoring of bone loss more accessible by prohibiting insurance companies from denying these specific screenings or penalizing doctors who provide them. While the bill allows for standard cost-sharing measures like deductibles and coinsurance, it prevents insurers from offering financial incentives to patients or providers to avoid these preventative tests.