Ubiq,
“I guess both. I’m saying if a Doctor thinks patient would benefit from a drug/scan etc the doctor should be able to prescribe it and the patietn get it.”
I understand your viewpoint that doctors should have the ability to prescribe medication and diagnostic tests that they deem necessary for their patients. However, it’s important to realize that insurance companies may not be obligated to cover the cost of these treatments. Since their primary objective is to remain profitable and sustainable, they may reject claims and requests that may be seen as not necessary in order to reduce costs.
In an ideal free market scenario, insurers would be forced to compete with each other and provide better value to consumers, such as better coverage and an easier time at approvals. However, the current healthcare system is complex and involves many grey areas. For instance, there are certain medical conditions that have vague symptoms, and the potential risk of serious consequences is minimal. In such cases, patients may request multiple diagnostic tests, which some providers may consider to be excessive. If patients are willing to pay for these tests out of pocket, they may still be able to receive them.
“what I imagine is a world where if a doctor orders a test it is done and paid for.”
In that world, there are often significant wait times for tests, and appointments can be months away.