Doctor's Expensive Referals, Texas Among the States that haven't Outlawed it

Author Dr. Sidney Roberts writes "Reduce Overuse of Medical Imaging" to address the concern of a matter that’s likely contributing to the increase in health care cost. In her article she writes that according to national studies the likely contributor is the increase in referrals for advanced diagnostic imaging services. Examples of these can be MRIs, PET scans, and CT scans. Dr. Roberts points out that diagnostic imaging services have outpaced the rate of growth of health care costs overall. She also points out that if the doctor that is helping you has a financial stake in the advanced imaging service it is likely that his or her referral is unfounded and not necessary. The author states that there is compelling evidence to suggest that self-referrals lead to overuse and the matter must be addressed by the Texas Government also. This sort of practice has been banned in 23 states but not in Texas in accordance with Dr. Roberts. She reinforces her argument with the logic that as health care cost rises so do the premiums for employers and Texas families. Even though diagnostic imaging tests can detect early unknown problems with patients that may save their life, Dr. Roberts is concerned that patients may be unnecessarily exposed to radiation from these tests when they are not needed. The author feels that more caution needs to be taken and as Texas is one of the biggest states in the nation; it needs to do something about these referrals. Dr. Sidney Roberts with her credibility as a doctor will sure capture the attention of her intended audience which is obviously people who are concerned with the increasing price of health care. I’m inclined to agree that we should do away with what is unnecessary to help lower the cost of health care for the citizens of Texas.