# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 4: Refusal of carriers to contract with eligible health, dental or vision care providers solely because providers have practiced good faith advocacy on behalf of patients

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 4
- **Heading:** Refusal of carriers to contract with eligible health, dental or vision care providers solely because providers have practiced good faith advocacy on behalf of patients
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 176O / Section 4

## Text

Section 4. A carrier, including a dental or vision carrier, shall not refuse to contract with or compensate for covered services an otherwise eligible health, dental or vision care provider solely because such provider has in good faith communicated with or advocated on behalf of one or more of his prospective, current or former patients regarding the provisions, terms or requirements of the carrier's health, dental or vision benefit plans as they relate to the needs of such provider's patients, or communicated with 1 or more of his prospective, current or former patients with respect to the method by which such provider is compensated by the carrier for services provided to the patient. Nothing in this section shall preclude a carrier, including a dental or vision carrier, from requiring a health, dental or vision care provider to hold confidential specific compensation terms.

Section 4. A carrier, including a dental or vision carrier, shall not refuse to contract with or compensate for covered services an otherwise eligible health, dental or vision care provider solely because such provider has in good faith communicated with or advocated on behalf of one or more of his prospective, current or former patients regarding the provisions, terms or requirements of the carrier's health, dental or vision benefit plans as they relate to the needs of such provider's patients, or communicated with 1 or more of his prospective, current or former patients with respect to the method by which such provider is compensated by the carrier for services provided to the patient. Nothing in this section shall preclude a carrier, including a dental or vision carrier, from requiring a health, dental or vision care provider to hold confidential specific compensation terms.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 2 Bureau of managed care](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 3 Complaints against carriers; notice; hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 4 Refusal of carriers to contract with eligible health, dental or vision care providers solely because providers have practiced good faith advocacy on behalf of patients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 5 Contracts; liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 5A Acceptance and recognition of information submitted pursuant to current coding standards and guidelines required; use of standardized claim formats](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S5A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 5B Policies and procedures to enforce Sec. 5A](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S5B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 5C Failure of carrier to comply with coding standards and guidelines; notice; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S5C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 5D Establishment of base fee schedule for evaluation and management services for behavioral health providers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S5D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 6 Evidence of coverage to be delivered to covered adults by health, dental and vision care providers; contents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 7 Information provided by carrier upon enrollment or upon request](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 8 Failure by carrier to file annual statement; fine](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 9 Utilization review programs; annual attestations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176O, sec. 9A Agreements or contracts between carrier and health care provider prohibited if containing certain provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S9A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176O_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.