Mass. physicians not transparent on prices, study finds

The Pioneer Institute surveyed small samples of dentists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists and ophthalmologists, specialists all required by law to provide pricing information upon request. Researchers called each type of physicians’ office and asked for pricing of basic procedures for self-pay patients. A total of 96 providers were surveyed across the state.

Here are 10 key takeaways from the study.

Dentists were found to be the most transparent providers in the study, which researchers postulate is due to its base of patients with self-pay or limited insurance.
Though most dentists were transparent about pricing, many were unaware of the law requiring transparency.
Dermatologists offered mixed levels of transparency, with many offices not accustomed to being asked questions about prices and not knowing what to do. Researchers were able, however, to obtain a broad estimate of a routine exam with persistence.
Many offices were unable to give the price of wart removal on a toe, saying such information was “unavailable,” or “impossible” to give a price because it is contingent on the physician’s findings. Other offices gave wide-range estimates with up to a $500 difference, and a few were able to give a flat fee for wart removal.
Dermatology offices on the whole were not informed about the transparency law.
Ophthalmology offices were mostly able to give a minimum price for a routine eye exam, though some hand price ranges for “additional procedures” or “if something goes wrong, the doctor may need to charge more.”
Only nine of 23 ophthalmology offices surveyed had knowledge of the state transparency law.
When researchers inquired gastroenterology offices about the price of a routine colonoscopy, assuming no biopsies or polyp removals, they found it to be “more arduous, time consuming and frustrating than any [survey] we have undertaken so far.” Researchers reported “Most ordinary consumers would likely give up in frustration and not succeed in obtaining this important information.”
Most gastroenterologist offices could provide surgeons’ fees, but almost half directed callers to contact the healthcare facility and anesthesiology providers separately to find information of other fees.
The other half of gastroenterologist offices were able to provide all three fees within two business days.