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

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.