Doctors and Device Makers Profit as Unnecessary Procedures Put Patients at Risk
- Doctors and medical device companies make money performing artery-clearing procedures, even when the procedures are unnecessary.
- The industry targets 12 million Americans with peripheral artery disease, though most only need lifestyle changes and medication.
- Medicare policies and financial incentives encourage doctors to perform procedures at outpatient clinics.
- Doctors who do more procedures get payments from Medicare and device makers, raising overtreatment concerns.
- Patients sometimes lose limbs from unnecessary procedures performed for profit.
Boston Globe 