re: A great article about why America blows...

quote:

---

Not so sure about doctors, because that cost is often passed on. However, in terms of the overall US healthcare system, tort is far and away the biggest cost driver.

---

More complicated than that. Tort isn't the main driver, but definitely a bigger factor than DS will lead you to believe. The biggest factor in ordering unnecessary test is pt demand. This is a downside to consumer driver healthcare. If you don't do it, they'll just go somewhere else. And you lose a customer. At time's I feel like I'm an insurances best friend by talking pt's out of unnecessary procedures. Often times they don't understand the limits of the test nor the potential risk. And most times, very little chance of additional diagnostic info. That affects me more than CYA medicine. But, it's really hard to factor since we have been trained and indoctrinated to cover our asses at all times. Hell half of what I chart is unnecessary for care. It's just there in case a lawsuit is incurred. So, that extra time limits my productivity, increases overhead, and results in higher charges for my time ultimately.