Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey released a Dec. 21 advisory after receiving multiple concerns from dental patients about surcharges related to COVID-19.
Patients were often unaware of the dental surcharges — ranging from $10 to $35 — until after the services were provided, according to WWLP.
The advisory, sent to the Massachusetts Dental Society, reads, "We understand that many dental practices are facing increased financial burdens due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, consumers across our state are dealing with their own financial hardships and should not have to pay inappropriate or surprise charges.
"When consumers receive dental care from dentists within their insurance network, the contract between their dental plan insurer and the dental practice typically prohibits any additional fees," the advisory reads. "It further advises that in other situations where surcharges for PPE may be allowed under insurance contracts — for instance, where the dentist is out of network with the consumer’s insurance, or where the consumer does not have dental insurance — dental practices should provide advance notice of the fee."