Unnecessary medical treatment or a misdiagnosis can quickly lead to expensive medical bills. Many people in the Albany area simply do not have the means to absorb these expenses, leaving them with hefty medical bills that they are unable to pay. The following is a brief overview of this problem in America.
Wasted care
Unnecessary care is more common than you may think. According to an article in Newsweek, Americans accrued medical bills totaling approximately $750 billion to $1 trillion for unnecessary medical care in recent years.
The reality is that progress to lower this number has been slow. New clinical guidelines and protocols can take years to become accepted by most physicians and understood by patients. Moreover, physicians are often incentivized financially for ordering tests and procedures.
Misdiagnosis
Unfortunately, there is no federal agency overseeing health care. This means that when a misdiagnosis is made, pursuing legal compensation may be the only recourse for those harmed. A misdiagnosis can lead to the wrong treatment resulting in further harm. Approximately 40,000 to 80,000 people lose their lives each year due to misdiagnoses.
Pursuing a legal claim for medical malpractice
Ultimately, if you were harmed by a misdiagnosis, you may be suffering physically, emotionally and financially. When this happens, you may want to speak to an attorney in the Albany area who can explain your rights and options in such situations so you can make informed choices that are in your best interests moving forward.