Bone Density Scan Montreal
Advanced Bone Health Services holds radiation free bone density clinics in the Montreal area using REMS, a method that measures bone strength with sound waves rather than X-rays. The appointment takes 20 to 30 minutes, there is no radiation at any point, and you receive your results the same day.
We run two sites in the region, both held inside UC Baby clinics, and both taking bookings now:
| Localisation | Address |
|---|---|
| Montreal | UC Baby, 5025 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 103, Montreal QC H4A 1S9 |
| Laval | UC Baby, 3870 Boulevard Notre Dame, Laval QC H7V 1S1 |
Our team travels on a rotating national schedule, so dates in Montreal and Laval are released in blocks and fill quickly. Once your appointment is confirmed, the suite and parking details are sent to you by email.
Book your appointment or see all our clinic locations across Canada.
How bone density testing works in Quebec
Quebec covers bone density testing well, better than several other provinces, and for many people the public route is the right one. An ostĂ©odensitomĂ©trie is insured by the RĂ©gie de l’assurance maladie du QuĂ©bec and carried out at no cost to the patient.
Two conditions come with it.
The first is a prescription. You cannot book an insured scan yourself. It has to be ordered by a physician, which means getting an appointment first and having the conversation that leads to the request.
The second is frequency. Under the RĂ©gie’s own schedule, the fee for the exam can be billed only once in any twelve month period for the same patient, with exceptions where there is a particular medical indication such as long term steroid use.
Who books a private scan in Montreal and Laval
- They had an insured scan recently and want to check their progress before the next one is due
- They are under 50 or premenopausal and want a baseline reading now, rather than waiting for the age at which testing is routinely offered
- They cannot get a prescription quickly, or do not currently have a family doctor
- They are on treatment or an exercise programme and want to know whether it is working
- They would rather avoid further X-ray exposure after several previous scans
- They want the result the same day rather than waiting for it to reach a referring physician
You book with us directly. Our clinic is a private service, so no prescription is needed from your side, and the report is written so you can hand it to your doctor.
REMS compared with DEXA
| Â | REMS at our clinics | Insured DEXA in Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation | None, the scan uses sound waves | Low dose X-ray |
| Prescription | Not required, you book directly | Required from a physician |
| How often | No limit, there is no dose to accumulate | Generally once in twelve months |
| Appointment length | 20 to 30 minutes | Usually 10 to 15 minutes |
| Results | Same day | Sent to the prescribing physician |
| Sites measured | Hip and lumbar spine | Hip and lumbar spine |
| Fragility score | Included, a separate measure of bone quality | Not reported |
REMS does not replace the public service and it does not remove the value of speaking to a doctor about treatment. It is a way to get a measurement when you want one, without radiation and without needing a prescription first. You can read more about how REMS technology works and about the bone mineral density test itself.
What happens at your appointment
- You stay fully clothed. Nothing is injected and no dye is used
- Our technologist scans your hip and lumbar spine with a handheld probe
- The visit takes 20 to 30 minutes from arrival to finish
- You go through your reading with our team before you leave, and receive the written report the same day
- The report covers your bone density readings and a fragility score, in a format a doctor can work from
There is a fuller walkthrough on our page covering what to expect at a REMS appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription for a bone density scan in Montreal?
Not for our clinic. You book directly with us. A prescription from a physician is what the publicly insured route requires, which is a separate service.
How often can I have an insured bone density scan in Quebec?
The RĂ©gie’s schedule allows the fee for the exam to be billed once in any twelve month period for the same patient, with exceptions where there is a particular medical indication such as long term steroid use. A REMS scan involves no radiation, so it is not limited in that way.
Where exactly are your Montreal and Laval clinics?
Montreal is at UC Baby, 5025 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 103. Laval is at UC Baby, 3870 Boulevard Notre Dame. We hold our clinics inside partner facilities rather than running permanent sites of our own, and the suite and parking details are confirmed by email once you book.
How often do you come to Montreal and Laval?
We travel on a rotating schedule and visit major centres every few months. Dates are released in blocks and fill quickly, so it is worth booking as soon as one opens.
How long does the scan take?
Between 20 and 30 minutes for the full appointment, including going through the reading with you.
Is REMS safe if I have already had several X-ray scans?
Yes. REMS uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation, so there is no cumulative dose and no limit on how often it can be repeated.
Will my doctor accept the report?
The report sets out your bone density readings for the hip and lumbar spine along with a fragility score, in a form a physician can review. Treatment decisions remain with them.
Can I book if I live elsewhere in Quebec?
Yes. There is no residency restriction, and patients travel in from across the province when a clinic date suits them. We also hold clinics in Quebec City.
Book your bone density scan in Montreal or Laval
Clinic dates in both cities are limited and released in blocks. For a radiation free reading of your bone strength with a same day result, book your appointment or call us on +1 (877) 452-1115.
You may also want to read about why early osteoporosis screening matters, or see our clinics in Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Metro Vancouver.
Reference source
Manuel des mĂ©decins spĂ©cialistes, RĂ©gie de l’assurance maladie du QuĂ©bec: https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/