For example, one of AARP's Medical Advantage plans pays a maximum of $5,000 for surgical procedures that may cost two or three times that amount.
In addition, they often borrow to pay for Lasik surgery, cosmetic surgery, orthodontia and other procedures that may not be covered by insurance.
Patients, with the advice of their doctors, must decide whether to brave new medical procedures that may result in death, or continue living lives they do not want.
And it's true that gastroenterologists, radiologists, urologists and physicians of all stripes make money from procedures that may not be necessary.
"The intent," Mr. Donaldson said, "is to eliminate those policies and procedures that may have no positive effect in terms of either monitoring quality or managing costs -- the so-called hassle factor".
Procedures that may cost tens of thousands of dollars in the United States can often be done for much less, with shorter waiting times and by specialists often trained in the West.
As the Philadelphia patient, who is a friend of mine, found, care in an emergency department for a routine medical problem can result in unnecessary hospitalization, tests and procedures that may even complicate a patient's medical problem.
The shock findings raise questions about the safety of procedures that may involve the transfer of contaminated tissues or surgical equipment, possibly including blood transfusions and invasive dental treatment.
That is, doctors can sell tests and procedures that may not be totally necessary or helpful both because patients are not good at determining the value of those services, and because patients are not bearing the full cost.
I.C.C. proceedings normally take place far from the scene of the crime, in a foreign language, often according to rules and procedures that may be impenetrable to victim communities.
One set of legal memorandums, the officials said, advises government officials that if they are contemplating procedures that may put them in violation of American statutes that prohibit torture, degrading treatment or the Geneva Conventions, they will not be responsible if it can be argued that the detainees are formally in the custody of another country.
