...pay for tests that can save our lives? like PET scans that detect where cancer goes? Apparently even if you have insurance, you can't use it even if we want to because your insurance won't pay for a test if it is inpatient or for some other reason. If I pay for insurance, shouldn't I get a full ticket to recovery?
Wouldn't the cost of tests be less if more were done?

HI. I feel sorry about your medicare.I dont live in the USA but we are close allies.I live in a country where i receive free medical protection.This sounds good in theory but the cost is rather high to the taxpayer.We have long lineups and could take 2 months to see specialalist.Just swipe my card and Im in the system,that cost is 1000$ at emergency.They evaluate you and put on "priority"I allways thought that visiting hospitals was good for the immune system since your exposed to every bug present.To get back to topic:Many of us use your medical system for fster service.Our medical status is good but only to a certain point.Blue cross,green cross gives you more service.In your country a change like this would meet heavy resistance from insurance companies.I believe this will happen in your country as well,just matter of time.What you could push for is full coverage at a lwer price or perhaps,geared to income.This would be advantages to all Americans as you are"equall"in your constitution,at least in theory.

Your health insurance company is trying to get the most bang for the buck in terms of monies it receives from policy holders and monies it pays out for all immunizations, medical tests, x-rays, scans, procedures, office visits, hospitalizations, etc.

A PET scan costs from $3000 to $6000 dollars. That's a huge chunk of money for the benefit of a single patient (which is not necessarily wrong, of course). Used to detect the spread of cancer, it's very probably something which would need to be repeated periodically.

The insurance company has very probably studied the statistics for whether the benefits gained from such tests justify its expense--and their not paying for hundreds or thousands of other health services for their policyholders. One PET scan for Patient X, or 600 pap smears, or 1,000 immunizations?

Are you entitled to any and every test because you carry health insurance? No. If you were, the premiums for all of us would be so high only the wealthy could afford it. Are you entitled to petition your insurer to cover a test they have previously refused to cover, with data to suggest its cost is worthwhile and could save a life? Sure.

Best of luck. Be well.