Radiation free bone density testing in Ottawa using EchoLight REMS ultrasound technology. No referral required, and your results are ready the same day.
Advanced Bone Health Services holds bone density clinics in Ottawa using Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry, known as REMS. The scan measures bone mineral density using ultrasound rather than X-ray, so there is no ionising radiation at any point in the appointment.
Where the Ottawa clinic is held
Our Ottawa scanning clinic is hosted at UC Baby Ottawa, 117 Centrepointe Drive, Suite 340, in Nepean in the west end of the city.
Advanced Bone Health Services operates as a mobile clinic on a rotating national schedule rather than a permanent walk in facility. Ottawa dates are announced in advance and appointment slots are limited, so we recommend booking as soon as a date is released. Your confirmation email includes the exact suite, entrance and parking details.
Check the next available Ottawa clinic date and book your appointment
What changed for Ontario patients in 2026
If you have been told you now have to wait longer between bone density scans than you used to, you are not imagining it.
On 1 April 2026 the Ontario Health Insurance Plan changed the intervals at which bone mineral density testing is insured. Osteoporosis Canada responded with a public position statement saying the new access is not consistent with its 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Osteoporosis in Canada, and is not in the best interests of patient care.
In practice, the current OHIP position works out as follows.
| Situation | What OHIP insures |
|---|---|
| First scan | A baseline test, ordered by a physician or nurse practitioner |
| Low risk, second scan | 36 months after the baseline |
| Low risk, later scans | Once every 60 months |
| Higher risk | Generally 36 months, where before April 2026 a repeat was possible after 12 months if the physician considered it necessary |
| Type of scan covered | Axial DXA of the hip and spine only |
| Referral | A requisition is required |
For many Ontarians this works perfectly well. The gap matters most if you have recently started or changed osteoporosis treatment, if you have had a fall, or if your physician wanted to see whether a treatment is working before the next insured scan comes due.
Because REMS uses ultrasound rather than X-ray, there is no radiation dose to accumulate, so it is not limited in the same way. That makes it a practical way to check your bone health in between insured scans, and it is one of the most common reasons Ottawa patients book with us.
We are not a replacement for OHIP or for your physician. We encourage every patient to share their report with their own doctor.
Bone scan, bone density scan and DEXA are not the same test
These terms get used interchangeably, which leads people to book the wrong thing. It is worth thirty seconds to check which one you actually need.
| Test | What it involves | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear medicine bone scan | A radioactive tracer is injected, then images are taken. Used to investigate infection, injury or disease in the bone. | Around three hours |
| DEXA or DXA bone density scan | Low dose X-ray measures bone mineral density. The insured option in Ontario and the established reference standard. | 10 to 30 minutes |
| REMS bone density scan | Ultrasound signal analysis measures bone mineral density with no radiation, and also reports bone quality. | 20 to 30 minutes |
If you are searching for a bone scan in Ottawa because you are worried about osteoporosis, the test you want is a bone density scan rather than a nuclear medicine bone scan.
How REMS compares with DEXA
| Feature | REMS ultrasound scan | Conventional DEXA scan |
|---|---|---|
| Technologie | Ultrasound, radiofrequency signal analysis | Dual energy X-ray |
| Radiation exposure | None | Low dose ionising radiation |
| Referral required | Not in most cases | Yes, a requisition is needed |
| Scanning interval | Not limited by radiation dose | Set by OHIP insured intervals |
| Results | Same day, emailed to you | Reported to the referring physician |
| Output | T score and Fragility Score | T score and Z score |
DEXA remains the long established reference standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, and it is the test OHIP insures. REMS is intended as an accessible, radiation free way to understand and monitor your bone health alongside it.
What the scan involves
- Plan for 20 to 30 minutes at the clinic
- You remain fully clothed throughout
- No injection, no contrast agent, no enclosed scanner
- An ultrasound probe is passed over the lumbar spine and hip
- No radiation exposure
- Your report is emailed to you the same day
The report gives you a T score, the standard measure used to identify normal bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis, alongside a Fragility Score reflecting the internal structure and quality of the bone rather than density alone. It is formatted so you can pass it straight to your family physician, rheumatologist or endocrinologist.
Who should consider a bone density scan
- Women who are postmenopausal or approaching menopause
- Adults aged 50 and over
- Anyone who has broken a bone from a minor fall
- A family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture
- Long term corticosteroid use, for example prednisone
- Thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease or kidney conditions
- Low body weight, or a history of smoking or high alcohol intake
- Anyone already on osteoporosis treatment who wants to see whether it is working before the next insured scan
Frequently asked questions about bone density scans in Ottawa
Do I need a referral for a bone density scan in Ottawa?
No referral is required in most cases for a REMS scan with Advanced Bone Health Services. An OHIP insured DXA scan does require a requisition from a physician or nurse practitioner. If you are unsure which route suits your circumstances, contact us before booking.
How often does OHIP cover a bone density test?
Under the intervals that took effect on 1 April 2026, low risk patients are insured for a baseline scan, a second scan 36 months later, and subsequent scans once every 60 months. Higher risk patients are generally at 36 months, where previously a repeat was possible after 12 months if the physician considered it necessary. Osteoporosis Canada has publicly stated that it does not consider these intervals consistent with its 2023 clinical guideline.
Can I have a REMS scan between my OHIP covered scans?
Yes. REMS involves no radiation, so it is not limited by dose accumulation, and it can be used for monitoring in between where your physician considers that appropriate. Bring the report to your next appointment.
Is a REMS bone scan safe?
The scan uses ultrasound and involves no ionising radiation. There is no dose to accumulate, which is what makes it suitable for repeat monitoring.
How long does the appointment take?
Plan for 20 to 30 minutes. You stay fully clothed and no preparation is needed beforehand.
When will I get my results?
Your report is emailed to you the same day, rather than being sent only to a referring physician.
Where exactly is the Ottawa clinic located?
Scans are held at UC Baby Ottawa, 117 Centrepointe Drive, Suite 340, in Nepean. The exact suite, entrance and parking details are confirmed in your booking email.
How often does the Ottawa clinic run?
Advanced Bone Health Services operates a rotating national schedule and returns to Ottawa periodically. Dates are announced in advance and slots are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Do you scan anywhere else in Ontario?
Yes. We also hold clinics in Toronto, Brampton, Newmarket, Whitby, Cambridge, Barrie and Collingwood. All Ontario dates are listed on our locations page.
Book your Ottawa bone density scan
Appointments for each Ottawa clinic date are limited and usually fill quickly.
Book your bone density scan in Ottawa
You may also want to read why early osteoporosis screening matters, how REMS technology works, or who needs a bone mineral density test. You can also view all our clinic locations across Canada.
Sources
The OHIP coverage intervals described on this page are taken from the following published sources. Coverage rules can change, so please confirm your own eligibility with your physician or nurse practitioner.
- Ontario Ministry of Health, Bone Mineral Density, Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP)
- Osteoporosis Canada, Changes in BMD Testing in Ontario, April 2026 position statement