A new study conducted by Siemens Healthcare finds that the majority of Americans would want to know if they have a serious illness or injury, even if there is no cure, and that they are willing to pay out of pocket for medical tests that aren’t covered by their insurance in order to get a clear diagnosis. According to Siemens, 92 percent of Americans agree that “the value of knowing exactly what is wrong with their health is as important as having access to a doctor in the first place,” and 78 percent would want to have a test done to diagnose a disease, even if there is no treatment or cure available. Two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans would even be willing to pay out of their own pocket for tests to diagnose serious illness if there were such a test but it was not covered by their own insurance. Diagnostic testing has come under increased scrutiny as the nation examines health care expenditures. However, the survey results show that–despite the belt-tightening times for many American families–the majority of U.S. adults see real value in such tests. The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on…
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