In the United States, medical service costs are soaring, while some doctors seem to have a pill and test for everything. This can cost you thousands of dollars while leaving you questioning how necessary it is. Let’s take a look at why seeing the wrong doctor is more expensive and could be costing you more than necessary.
You Are Often Overcharged
The Washington Health Alliance studied medical claims in the state of Washington. It found that over 622,000 patients underwent medical tests and procedures that were unnecessary. When unnecessary procedures are done, it drives up the price of healthcare and causes you to have to spend more than necessary. Why does this happen? There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, many primary care physicians are afraid of malpractice and choose to go above and beyond the necessary to ensure they have covered all of their bases. This may look like extra tests and more medical bills for you. Many times, these unnecessary tests are given to those who have health insurance but are avoided if the patient does not have them.
Next, doctors will often benefit from prescribing unnecessary screenings and tests. While many doctors deeply care about their patients, there are some who like to get the financial incentives that come along with unnecessary tests. While this is a great kickback for them, it hits you where your pocket is and even drives up healthcare costs.
Physician-Induced Demand
Most patients are not medical experts and put their trust in their doctors. However, some doctors use this to their advantage by giving patients confusing information and ordering procedures that are unnecessary. When these unnecessary tests benefit the doctor more than the patient, it is called “physician-induced demand,” and it is a key component in the higher healthcare costs. When you choose a doctor like this, it will be more expensive for you in the long run.
Aggressive Pharmaceutical Advertising
Television ads for prescription medications are all too common, but you may not realize that doctors are bombarded with these same ads on a more regular basis. Pharmaceutical companies market to primary care doctors by providing free drug samples and ads in medical journals and in the mail. While this seems to be sufficient, these companies will go so far as to send representatives to doctor’s offices and give them gifts or take them out to dinner to promote their products.
Doctors who fall prey to pharmaceutical advertising may choose to offer patients more brand-name medications with higher prices. While some insurance plans help cover the cost of medication, you may find that brand-name medication is a little more than you can afford, especially if you are uninsured.
How can I find a good doctor?
Finding a top care physician might seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! When you have a high deductible or are on the hunt for a doctor who will help you save money, there are a couple of things you can do to find the perfect fit.
Ask for Recommendations
A common mistake when looking for a doctor is to look at online reviews. This is not the best way to determine if a doctor is truly good. Instead, ask friends, family, and even coworkers for their personal recommendations. That way, you can get a trusted opinion rather than an unreliable internet review.
Use UBERDOC
Another excellent way to ensure you find a helpful and trustworthy doctor is through UBERDOC. They can help you find qualified doctors and help you save on out-of-pocket costs. You can have them book appointments for you, which can help you avoid referrals, saving you even more money!
Fast Access to Health Professionals
If you need help finding in-network doctors, UBERDOC can help! UBERDOC allows you to get the care you need in an easy and affordable way. We offer both in-person and telemedicine appointments, ensuring that you have access to the healthcare you need, no matter how busy or restrictive your day is. To find out more about how UBERDOC can help you, contact us today!
