Defensive Medicine Carries a Hefty Price Tag

According to recent reports, defensive medicine contributes an estimated $50 billion in additional costs to the U.S. health care system – the most expensive health care system in the world.

In the current climate of fear, defensive medicine is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. The fear of a lawsuit drives physicians to order excessive tests, images and studies because they know they cannot personally afford to miss any diagnosis, regardless of how rare.

Lawsuits against doctors, medicines, hospitals and health insurers place an enormous liability burden on the system and are a major contributor to increased health care costs and decreased access to affordable health care.

Lawsuits and jury awards ultimately increase the cost of medical liability insurance, driving up patient and insurance costs… and even leading some doctors to stop practicing high risk specialties or relocate to areas where the insurance rates aren’t as high.

Many of these costs would be avoided through the passage of legal reforms, which would make physicians more free to practice medicine, exercise professional judgment, and make health care more efficient and less expensive.

While some claims are absolutely legitimate, the system often gets abused. Greedy personal injury lawyers have made a happen of taking advantage of the system.

If you have a question about your health care or your medicine, ask your doctor, not a lawyer. Unfortunately, it’s the patients who ultimately pay the price.