5 Medical Scams to Avoid Like the Plague

It’s no secret that going to the hospital is expensive, and with the future of health care formidably uncertain, the last thing you want to do is get hit with a costly medical bill. Unfortunately, medicine has transformed into a business rather than a solution, and at times business interest may affect decision-making.

While most doctors aren’t out to get you, plenty of less reputable practitioners have no qualms about sneaking extra fees onto medical bills. If you ever have doubts about a treatment or procedure, seek guidance from an reputable organization such as the American Board of Internal Medicine.

1. Ambulance Costs
Ambulatory fees differ based on where you live—the cost of living and taxes can either raise or lower the cost—but Medicare and Medicaid generally underpay EMT staff. Ambulances thus try to make up the difference by charging patients A basic life support ambulance service starts at $600 and then escalates with distance covered and any equipment used, and advanced life support vehicles start closer to $1,000. If you don’t need an ambulance, then don’t take one and skip the overpriced taxi ride. Some ambulances even charge people for just saying they’ll get in an ambulance, and no matter who dials 911, the patient ends up getting the bill.

2. Unnecessary Testing and X-Rays
Emergency room staff have a tendency to test patients for illnesses and conditions that aren’t pertinent to the symptoms they’re experiencing. Research by the ABIM foundation reveals that the average physician conducts or orders an unnecessary test at least once weekly. Medical attention is expensive, and questionable doctors will conduct extra tests for extra money. The more tests ER staff runs, the more your visit costs. This is also true for x-rays: if only one arm is swollen for example, there’s no reason to expand the scale or examine unrelated bones. Sadly, this malpractice continues with misdiagnoses, which can lead to unnecessary treatment or surgery—and higher bills.