ATLANTA — On Thursday, a group of major medical and consumer groups released a list of tests that have been found unnecessary.
According to a separate group, the Patients for Fair Compensation, Georgians spend $13 billion each year in unnecessary tests. The group is working to overhaul Georgia's healthcare system.
"Every specialty has their procedures or their diagnoses that are tied to procedures that are defensive. There's hot-button issues in every single medical specialty," pediatric urologist Dr. Hal Scherz said.
Scherz said defensive medicine, tests doctors say they do primarily to protect themselves from lawsuits, is a major contributor to what he says is driving health care costs through the roof.
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"Defensive medicine, or doing unnecessary testing, affects everybody: patients, doctors, and the entire healthcare system," Scherz told Channel 2's John Bachman.
The head of Patients for Fair Compensation said Georgians spend an extra $2,000 in insurance premiums every year because of unneeded tests. He applauds a new effort by a group of doctors teaming up with consumer reports to draw attention to a list of tests that are often not needed.
"These specialty groups coming out, let's name these tests. List them to get it on everybody's mind," Rick Jackson said.
Jackson worked to get Georgia lawmakers to overhaul healthcare to rid it of defensive medicine. He was unsuccessful this session but hopes to get a bill written for next session.
But those on the other side of the issue doubt defensive medicine could cost as much as is being claimed. Earlier this year, Bachman spoke with medical malpractice attorney Lance Lourie, who disputes defensive medicine skeptics.
"Managed care companies control the tests and so the notion that all these tests are being done that don't need to be done is just fantasy," Lourie said.
For a list of the tests under fire, visit www.webmd.com.
WSBTV
