Better Care at Lower Costs

Should I Have a Test (such as a Blood Test, X-ray, CT Scan, or MRI) to Diagnose My Health Problem?

Make sure you understand how any medical test will help you before you agree to it. For more information, see the topic Smart Decisions: Know Your Options. The only good reason to do a test is because the benefits to you outweigh the risks and costs. No test can be done without your consent.

Medical tests are expensive. If you need a test, do your part to make sure that you do not have to repeat it. The tips below can make a big difference:

1. Follow instructions about how to prepare. Are you supposed to stop eating the night before? Not drink alcohol? Stop taking medicines, or take a special medicine? Get written instructions from your doctor or nurse, and follow them. This reduces the chance of error and the need to repeat the test, which saves you money. Before you have a medical test, look it up on this Web site so you know more about the test and what you need to do.
2. Keep a copy of the results. Get a copy of the full test results, even if they are normal. Do not assume that no news is good news. If you do not hear from your doctor, call to get your written test results. This helps in three ways:
   • It makes sure you have the results if you later need to compare them to past or future tests.
   • You have a backup record in case you see a different doctor who does not get your test results from your previous doctor. If you can provide a copy, he or she may not have to repeat the test.
   • Having the results helps you better understand what's going on with your health.
3. Do not check in to a hospital just for tests unless you have to. Sometimes a hospital stay is necessary, but often the point is just to better control what you eat, drink, and do before the test. Talk to your doctor. He or she may be fine with you having the tests as an outpatient (which means not staying in the hospital overnight) as long as you agree to follow instructions for before and after the test. If it is safe for you to do those things at home instead of at the hospital, you may greatly lower the cost of the testing.
4. Don't have tests more often than you need to. If you have a health problem that requires frequent tests and you are worried about the cost, tell your doctor. Maybe you can go a little longer between tests. Maybe you can have a less costly test some of the time and the more expensive one less often.
5. Ask about options, and shop around. The cost of some testing can vary widely without any difference in how reliable the results are. For expensive tests, it may pay to compare the costs of your best options.

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: May 1, 2008
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
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