Today's Health Tip
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

American Institute for Preventive Medicine

Questions For Tests: An average of 40 medical tests per person are done each year in the U.S. It is estimated that at least 1/4 of them are not needed. When your doctor recommends a medical test, you should question him or her about it. Why? The Food & Drug Administration has determined that 20%-60% of diagnostic tests are not necessary. Questions you should ask include: What is the test for? What will the results tell us? What would happen if I don't have this test? Does this test pose any risk? Is there an alternative to the test? How much will it cost?

Also, you need to request copies of all test results, at the time they are being done. Sometimes you can just wait for these, other times they have you sign forms and the test results are mailed to you. These are usually free and by all rights yours to have (the HIPAA law at work for you). You can avoid duplicate tests being requested as well as saving time from the doctor having to have the staff retrieve tests that did not make it into your file. Save time and frustration; with all the tests being administered by different specialists, many times by the time you meet with your primary physician all of the tests would not have arrived.