Doctors order more tests and consultations to protect themselves from liability, Dr. Anthony Youn says. <\/p>\n
STORY HIGHLIGHTS <\/p>\n
Editor's note: Dr. Anthony Youn is an assistant professor of surgery at the Oakland University\/William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan. He is the author of \"In Stitches,\" a memoir about growing up Asian-American and becoming a doctor. <\/p>\n
(CNN) -- Coverage for 30 million uninsured. A ban on lifetime payout limits. No co-pays or deductibles on preventive medical services. Insurers prohibited from excluding patients based on pre-existing medical conditions. <\/p>\n
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as \"Obamacare\") creates a massive, wide-scale overhaul of the heavily flawed and criticized health care system of the United States. <\/p>\n
But for all of the Obama administration's work in creating this 906-page federal law, there is one glaring omission that could decrease the costs of health care and help relieve the upcoming physician shortage. <\/p>\n
Medical liability reform. <\/p>\n
How could the Obama administration create such a comprehensive overhaul of health care without addressing this issue? Although not a panacea for the health problems in the United States, the need for physicians to practice defensive medicine in order to avoid potential litigation has far-reaching consequences. <\/p>\n
A 2008 survey of Massachusetts doctors found that 83% admitted to practicing defensive medicine. This study determined that 18% to 28% of tests, procedures and referrals and 13% of hospital admissions were performed for the sake of avoiding lawsuits. <\/p>\n
In this one state alone, an estimated $281 million in unnecessary physician costs and more than $1 billion in excessive hospital costs was due to the practice of defensive medicine. Across the country, doctors are ordering tests and consultations as a way to protect themselves from potential liability. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The rest is here: <\/p>\n
Health care act's glaring omission: liability reform<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Doctors order more tests and consultations to protect themselves from liability, Dr. Anthony Youn says. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Editor's note: Dr. Continue reading