Hospital Executives: 32 Percent of Healthcare Costs Due to Defensive Medicine

Hospital administrators estimate one-third of healthcare costs are the result of tests and treatments that aren't medically necessary and ordered to prevent lawsuits, according to a new survey by Atlanta-based Jackson Healthcare.

The survey also made the following findings:

  • 94 percent of survey participants affirmed the practice of defensive medicine drives up healthcare costs in the U.S.
  • Survey participants estimated 57 percent of physicians practice defensive medicine.
  • 32 percent of participants believe defensive medicine has a negative impact on the quality of patient care.

A total of 106 hospital executives completed the Jackson Healthcare survey from February 7 to March 25. To qualify, participants answered they believe some physicians practice defensive medicine. The error range for the survey was +/-9.5 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

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