A
2006 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that from 5% to 43% of three tests (EKG, x-ray, urinalysis) were ordered for apparently healthy, asymptomatic individuals during routine preventive exams - tests which evidence and guidelines recommended against performing.
"Annual direct costs for the three interventions range from $47 million to $194 million."
I suppose if we're willing to accept the ordering of tests that go beyond guidelines, we're willing to accept increases in medical costs that accompany them.
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Very insightful Rollingstone article you linked. Everyone should read it. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29988909/sick_and_wrong
oops wrong post. Meant to post in: Healthcare Reform Is Looking Rosy For Insurance and Drug Companies. Please move if that's possible, sorry.
ReplyDeleteI posted it there but I think I'll leave it here too, because it was a great article and it's worth mentioning again :)
ReplyDelete