Over $700 billion is wasted on unnecessary medical care yearly. This Boston Globe op-ed gives some eye-opening examples of where to start trimming the fat:
# Wide variations in patterns of care – why, for instance, surgery for coronary artery bypass or hip replacement is performed more frequently in one area of the country than another. Potential savings: $600 billion a year.# Medical mistakes such as wrong-side surgery, medication errors, and preventable hospital-acquired infections. Potential savings: $52.2 billion a year.
# The overuse of hospital emergency departments for nonemergencies. Potential savings: $21.4 billion a year.
# The underuse of drugs and other therapies to manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma, leading to acute conditions (asthma attacks, insulin shock) and hospitalization. Potential savings: $5.5 billion a year.
# The overuse of antibiotics for viral infections (ear infections, sore throats, and the common cold). Potential savings: $1.1 billion a year.
Many of these issues can be resolved by reforming how doctors are paid. Remove the incentives to do more, see more, and treat more. Reward for healthy outcomes and for providing primary care physician access which can preempt expensive emergency department visits.
