But I think United HealthCare did something that is important. And they did it in a nonthreatening way. He says he was surprised to learn he himself didn't always meet the guidelines. They are virtually all subsequent standards. In some cases, such as mammograms, the relatively low numbers may reflect patients' reluctance about radiation or failure to act on doctors' advice.
Some radiologists say that number is actually impressive.
I think United Health will use this number as a base from which to improve. But other results were alarming. For example, the American College of Cardiology recommends that heart-attack patients get beta blockers, drugs given to avoid a second incident, for weeks, months or years. Some patients don't like beta blockers because they can cause difficulties in concentrating in some people or produce sexual dysfunction in some men. It should probably be two-thirds.