Sen. Coburn: "A large number of tests we (doctors) order are for

[zbdent]

(insert euphamism for covering our asses in a claim for tort-reform)" ...

no, as I see it, a lot of unnecessary tests are ordered to add to the bottom line ...

[dave29]

1. is that why my urinalysis cost $1800

?

[hedgehog]

2. One provision of the health care reform bill is data collection

and evaluation in order to determine best practices. I would hope that would include what the indications are for which tests. I mean, if I come in with an in grown toenail, no doctor should be on the hook for not ordering a cat scan if I turn up a year later with a brain tumor!

[busymom]

3. Untrue

Most doctors do NOT collect money based on the number of/type of tests that they order. This is a practice that is considered a conflict of interest. No bonus dollars, etc can be applied to someone for ordering tests.

You can, however, be sued if someone comes in with a complaint like frequent urination, you do a urinalysis and put them on an antibiotic and it turns out that on top of the infection they also had uterine cancer and you didn't order more expensive tests just to be sure. You can be sued...and every other doc that laid hands upon the patient.

I don't appreciate scare tactics from the right, or doctor hate mongering and blame from the left.

[mopinko]

4. that doesn't mean they don't get any of the pie in any way.

modern day docs in big hospitals have perks and profit sharing devices based on the overall profits of the hospital. just like they may not paid to prescribe, but that doesn't mean they don't get nice meals and trips.
i don't hate docs, that's just the facts. and the idea that it is to cover their ass is, well, covering their ass. it fits the tort reforms cover story, too.

[busymom]

5. Though profit sharing

is a part of many systems, the utilization of services like you are talking about can also be a money sink. These tests are ordered across the board whether someone has medicare which pays crap, private insurance or no insurance. Hospitals can also lose money. Also...the majority of doctors that I know wouldn't order many of the tests except for their fear of litigation. Many feel angry about it and like they are no longer able to make the best medical decisions for their patients anymore.