"While there is no question that transparency about health-care costs is a good thing, the new database is already doing more to disrupt good care than shed light on bad care. 

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has a responsibility to educate the public about the data they are releasing. As doctors, we are deeply concerned about the wedge this will drive between doctors and patients, and about the aggressive marketing and unfounded fraud allegations that are likely to ensue. We urge Medicare to identify and correct data mistakes, refrain from releasing more information until a more helpful process can be established that provides information in the appropriate clinical context, and allow physicians to review their personal information for accuracy.” ■