However, it is sometimes thought that if testing is good, a lot of it is even better. This has allowed for the excessive use of testing in our health care system to go on without criticism. One of the main reasons doctors perform unnecessary tests is to protect themselves from accusations of negligence and malpractice suits. The second reason for unnecessary testing is that an increasingly higher number of doctors have investments in the facilities they practice or refer patients to. At least one out of every eight doctors nationwide has money invested in these facilities, according to a study by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Physicians also own on out of our labs and treatment centers.
The third reason many doctors and hospitals perform excessive tests is because they have the chance to do so under many insurance programs. Research has shown that doctors paid fee by fee by insurance companies, order 50 percent more electrocardiograms and 40 percent more x-rays than doctors receiving set salaries. There are many possible ways to control excessive testing. First by limiting malpractice awards for factors such as pain and suffering, doctors would not fear malpractice suits as much and therefore would not have to order as many tests. If the federal government followed California's example, malpractice premiums would be limited.