Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Massachusetts

Change of Price for Work Already Done at Dentist

I went to the local dentist office to get a check up, got x-rays done and filled out all the paperwork. I was told I had 3 cavities and would have to come back to have them filled. I was told the price would be about $16 a cavity (after insurance), so I decided to get it done at that place.

I came back in and had two cavities filled. However, they lost their file on me, including x-rays and insurance info, and so I had new x-rays taken. I paid about $32 and was told to come back in in a week for the third cavity (on the other side of the mouth).

My next visit, I get the third cavity filled and the secretary asks for my insurance information and tells me that the price for this filling is somewhere around $50. I tell her that it is impossible since I paid only $32 my last visit for two cavities, and this should be half that.

Well, it turns out they are correct, that my insurance only covers a little, and now I have been sent an invoice for $84. I feel like from the beginning I was misled about the price, that therefore it is unfair to make me pay the full price. I was only told the price was higher once the work was completed.

Do I have any legal ground to stand on? If so, what actions must I take?

Thanks!


Asked on 6/15/05, 6:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Davis Law Office of T. George Davis, Jr.

Re: Change of Price for Work Already Done at Dentist

From what you've written, it looks like the problem is that your insurance coverage fell short. Unfortunately, it is not your dentist's responsibility to monitor the scope of your insurance coverage, but rather yours. You claim that you were misled about the price, but it looks to me that the problem was that you simply didn't know what your insurance would cover. I don't see how the dentist is to blame.

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Answered on 6/21/05, 5:06 am


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