The key facts
- Patients have the right to refuse payment for procedures not agreed upon in advance; treatment costs, including anesthesia, X-rays, and materials, must be fixed in the contract or plan.
- In case of an inflated bill, the lawyer advises demanding a written explanation of the discrepancy and sending a formal complaint to the chief physician citing the Law on Consumer Protection.
- If the clinic refuses to resolve the dispute, patients can file a complaint with Rospotrebnadzor or Roszdravnadzor depending on the nature of the violation.
Patients are not obligated to pay for 'surprises' in the bill
Patients of dental clinics have the right to challenge unexpected expenses if the doctor performed additional paid procedures without prior agreement. A medical organization should not demand payment for services that a person did not agree to, according to lawyer Alexander Manko in an interview with 'Abzat' (published on Life.ru). He stated that treatment costs must be discussed before procedures begin: the contract or the attached plan must specify not only the main manipulations but also expenses for anesthesia, X-rays, materials, and the specialist's work.
Lawyer's warning: do not sign if the price is uncertain
'If the price is stated only verbally, with phrases like 'we'll sort it out later' or if the final amount is left undefined, do not rush to sign documents or agree to treatment. You are not obligated to pay for these 'surprises',' warned Manko. If the bill turns out higher than agreed after the visit, the lawyer advises first to demand a written explanation of the discrepancy. Until the circumstances are clarified, according to his recommendation, one should not pay for disputed additional services that the patient did not consent to.
How to act when faced with an inflated bill
The next step is a written complaint addressed to the chief physician, citing the Law on Consumer Protection and the rules for providing paid medical services. If the clinic refuses to resolve the dispute, one can contact Rospotrebnadzor or Roszdravnadzor depending on the nature of the violation. To avoid such situations, Manko recommends obtaining a detailed estimate in advance and checking documents before signing, paying special attention to wording that allows changes to the treatment cost without separate agreement.
Previously: the contract should not turn into an open-ended bill
Previously, as noted by Life.ru, a lawyer explained how to protect oneself from imposed procedures and unnecessary expenses in paid clinics. The expert warned that the contract should not turn into an open-ended bill, the final amount of which the patient learns only after treatment. She recommended keeping medical documents, receipts, and correspondence with the clinic, as these will help prove the lack of consent to additional services. Editorially, these tips share a general principle: fixing the price and obtaining consent before treatment forms the basis for challenging the bill afterward, while practical steps supported by sources include requesting a written explanation of the discrepancy, filing a complaint, and lodging a grievance with supervisory authorities.
