Insurance and physician referrals

Many insurance companies require a referral from the primary care physician in order to visit a specialist. Some insurance carriers may also require special pre-certifications for some outpatient tests. It is advisable to determine the requirements of the particular insurance company prior to visiting a specialist so as to minimize any personal, out-of-pocket payments.

Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital do accept Medicare assignment.

While the program accepts self-referrals, it does work closely with the primary care physician to provide comprehensive evaluation, consultation, and timely reports.

Before you arrive

In order to help our medical team evaluate your health and medical needs, you will be asked to provide us with some information about yourself.

A questionnaire will be mailed to you a few days before the appointment, asking about some details of your medical history and medications you may be taking. For your convenience, you can also view or download the patient questionnaire (pdf)  and medication record (pdf) forms online.

Please remember to bring the completed questionnaire and any other pertinent medical records you may have (previous bone density tests, X-ray reports, or results of blood or urine tests) to the visit. All this information is very important and will help your physician at the Bone Health Program in making the best decisions for your bone health.

At your visit

In most cases, you will be asked to undergo a measurement of bone mineral density, a non-invasive technique that estimates the amount of bone mineral present in the skeleton, and a good index of fracture risk.

You may receive other tests or treatments based on your specific condition.

Make an appointment

To schedule an appointment or refer a patient, please call 314-454-7775. Offices are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.