Most Doctors Not Complying With Medical Price Transparency Law, Survey Finds
BOSTON (CBS) -- The state's 2012 medical price transparency law is still not a reality for most Bay State consumers, according to a new report.
The Pioneer Institute found that out of nearly 100 Massachusetts doctors and dentists surveyed, most are not complying with the requirement to provide patients who ask with the price of a medical procedure before it happens.
"Many physicians are not embracing transparency as a part of their office culture," lead study author Barbara Anthony said.
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The survey found that dentists tend to be the most transparent about prices, but researchers got mixed results when they asked dermatologists about the cost of removing a wart from a toe.
"A few were unsure they had authority to give out price information, some were reluctant to talk about price, and a few were simply rude on the subject," the study said.
The head of the Massachusetts Medical Society, Dr. Dennis Dimitri, said most doctors want to comply with the law, but it's not as simple as it may seem.
"Some of the detail that's required around issues, such as what are the allowed charges for a particular service, vary tremendously depending on which insurer you're talking about," he said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports: