---
title: O.C.G.A. § 43-34A-5. Patient’s right to inquire as to medical malpractice coverage and to estimation of fees; collection of payment prior to rendering of services.
collection: code
id: 43-34A-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 43-34A-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t43-ch33-51-(v30a)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=638c2417_0#page=263
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A-4.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/43-34A-6.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES / PATIENT RIGHT TO KNOW
extraction_warnings:
  - dehyphenation_unverified:explain-ing
---

# O.C.G.A. § 43-34A-5. Patient’s right to inquire as to medical malpractice coverage and to estimation of fees; collection of payment prior to rendering of services.

A patient has the right to inquire as to whether the physician carries medical malpractice insurance and as to the estimated charges for a routine office visit, routine treatments, and lab tests prior to receiving such treatment. When asked for such information, the physician or other authorized personnel shall give such information freely and without reservation or evasion. Violation of this right should be reported immediately to the board. Physicians are not responsible for ascertaining the details of the patient’s insurance coverage and explaining such information to the patient. A physician may require the payment of his or her fee or any applicable copayment in advance of delivering professional services unless otherwise prohibited by law.

## History

Code 1981, § 43-34A-5, enacted by Ga. L. 2001, p. 192, § 5; Ga. L. 2011, p. 438, § 2/HB 147.