Yet getting a doc to order tests I actually need is crazy difficult. I've had a thyroid condition since I was 17 (based on symptoms) and couldn't get a test for it until I was 35 and even then it was a gyno who had thyroid issues and sympathized.

Now that I'm diagnosed, officially, my doc has to jump through hoops to get the tests covered by insurance because I like to have them more frequently than recommended. I used to just buy them for 65$ myself so who knows what it costs insurance if it was that much for me. I'd assume something like 20$.

I'm assuming they are talking Medicare/Medicaid in which docs go nuts ordering every test under the sun because it's all covered and they get paid for the interpretation.

Yeah there's a lot of useless testing and unnecessary APPOINTMENTS in the medicare system - For example (relative's experience), patient wants epidural or whatever shot for back pain and requests that from general doctor. Patient is told has to get physical therapy a try first. Jumps thru hoops getting useless physical therapy for 2 months, then finally is allowed to get pain management referrals for the shots, then patient goes to appointment and is told to first get x-ray, patient returns with x-ray and is told to go get mri and make another appointment. Patient returns with mri where the appointment is about looking at mri, and is told to return another day after medicare approval process for the shot. Patient returns at another appointment and gets 1st pain shot. Patient is told to come back in 2 weeks for second shot, patient returns to get second shot and is asked how the fist shot went and told to make another appointment to get second shot.