4 ms·

Seems plausible. So what's up with the wealthy? They do not care? They do not know? They get talked into it by greedy physicians? Or is the story more likely ju

Seems plausible. So what's up with the wealthy? They do not care? They do not know? They get talked into it by greedy physicians? Or is the story more likely just not true?

DragonStrength 3y ago
Well, it's not as if wealthy people are any different from the average Joe. They may go on HN instead of FB for their medical advice (and I've seen these sorts of scans advocated in comments here, to be clear), but that doesn't mean they have any more knowledge of outcomes for these screenings. What they do have is a knowledge of their own (and parents') mortality and means to do anything they can to prevent it. Buy a bunker in NZ, try to build a base on the moon, or spend a couple grand on a frivolous scan? Rich people gonna rich people. Yes, the medical system in the US is for-profit and fee-based. Medical providers make money by building small businesses which do a lot of procedures. Here is another very expensive, uncovered procedure for them to bill.
- robwwilliams 3y ago
  In general, physician do not understand false discovery rates, and when profit motives are involved they do not even want to hear about FDRs.
- bcrosby95 3y ago
  I've noticed that many educated people expect other, otherwise educated people to not exhibit certain dumb behaviors. In reality, people are people. They will do dumb shit regardless of how rich or educated they are.
prepend 3y ago
They can afford it. And they are able to pay for anything medical their doc recommends. I am curious but not willing to spend $5-20k in scans and tests. Especially since they can be done annually. Why not? There’s no medical guidelines for what period has higher positive impact. My doctor has mentioned tests that cost thousands and have a low probability of useful information. I say no. If I was rich, I’d probably do any test if the only downside was cost.
refurb 3y ago
Yes, they actually do. The question about "VIP healthcare" pops up all the time on certain subreddits and the physicians who comment usually say "it's not worth it at all".

Seems plausible. So what's up with the wealthy? They do not care? They do not know? They get talked into it by greedy physicians? Or is the story more likely just not true?

DragonStrength 3y ago

Well, it's not as if wealthy people are any different from the average Joe. They may go on HN instead of FB for their medical advice (and I've seen these sorts of scans advocated in comments here, to be clear), but that doesn't mean they have any more knowledge of outcomes for these screenings. What they do have is a knowledge of their own (and parents') mortality and means to do anything they can to prevent it. Buy a bunker in NZ, try to build a base on the moon, or spend a couple grand on a frivolous scan? Rich people gonna rich people. Yes, the medical system in the US is for-profit and fee-based. Medical providers make money by building small businesses which do a lot of procedures. Here is another very expensive, uncovered procedure for them to bill.

robwwilliams 3y ago
In general, physician do not understand false discovery rates, and when profit motives are involved they do not even want to hear about FDRs.
bcrosby95 3y ago
I've noticed that many educated people expect other, otherwise educated people to not exhibit certain dumb behaviors. In reality, people are people. They will do dumb shit regardless of how rich or educated they are.

prepend 3y ago

They can afford it. And they are able to pay for anything medical their doc recommends. I am curious but not willing to spend $5-20k in scans and tests. Especially since they can be done annually. Why not? There’s no medical guidelines for what period has higher positive impact. My doctor has mentioned tests that cost thousands and have a low probability of useful information. I say no. If I was rich, I’d probably do any test if the only downside was cost.

refurb 3y ago

Yes, they actually do. The question about "VIP healthcare" pops up all the time on certain subreddits and the physicians who comment usually say "it's not worth it at all".