The Cost Of Medical Testing On The Rise Due To Malpractice Fears

The rising cost of malpractice insurance and fears over lawsuitshave driven doctors to order extensive testing andhospitalization for patients, especially those with chest pain.Decisions about what tests are needed and the necessity ofhospitalization, especially among emergency room physicians, isbeing affected by the threat of malpractice, which leads tosignificantly higher costs for insurance companies. With theincrease in costs due to extensive testing, a rise in healthinsurance costs are bound to follow. An initial diagnosis ofpossible acute coronary syndrome can lead to tests that wouldotherwise be considered unnecessary, and the health insuranceindustry is feeling the financial pressure.Health insurance costs have risen continually each year, andwith the increase in medical testing, that trend is certain tocontinue. Physicians pay a high premium for malpracticeinsurance. When a physician is sued for malpractice, the premiumrises to even higher levels, whether or n...