I’ve come out of pocket 90,000 (approx) for a single, yet massively involved, incident. Of course, that would not be possible again after being so sick for so long. I thought it was a once and for all fix – til I later experienced battery of health conditions beyond comprehension. I also came to realize that my massive issue was related to EDS! I think it is FAR CHEAPER to do it right the first time!!!!! And YES less is much much more!!!! No, you don’t need to jam a needle in my spine to test me for MS, frankly I don’t care if I have MS and it is not worth sticking a needle in my back. I am not a fan of contrast either and the contrast testing they’ve done on me were the wrong tests that are relatively worthless for diagnosing what I have as well as having to value for treatment and/or research toward improved tx. I just need to learn about diagnostics so that I can ‘group’ or plan or something – I’m not getting appropriate care and need to be paying attention to my care – very unfortunately. I definitely group my bloodwork because I am phobic and it is soooo traumatic for me to do bloodwork. I just want to make whatever testing they do worthwhile if at all possible. So, YES, less is more and planning is key. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure for me and I can’t even get to the prevention/maintenance part. Ugh. Please, any relatively benign suggestions or profoundly important ones will be greatly welcomed. In a nutshell, I agree with you completely and I also do (funny you should say) think about the financial investment even if it’s not my own. Frankly, I’d have spent the money A LONG LONG LONG TIME AGO TO ‘GET IT RIGHT’. It’s a huge waste to prolong my care and treatment and I know I am deteriorating (which will end up being far more pricey in the long run).