Medicare Patients getting too many Colonoscopies

Guy N

Well-Known Member
A colonoscopy is recommended once every 10 years as a screening tool for those over 50, however a recent study found that many Medicare patients were having them more frequently. In the study 46.2% had a colonoscopy every 7 years.

Of course this adds unnecessary costs to the Medicare program plus there is always some risk to the patient when getting a colonoscopy.

This article suggests that profit could be one motive for the extra colonoscopies. Surprise, surprise, it usually boils down to money.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20110509/hl_hsn/studyquestionsoveruseofcolonoscopyinmedicarepatients
 
Hey dude, thanks, that's good to know. As far as I'm concerned the less poking the doctor does in that area, the better!:dodgy:
 

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