600 GPs cautioned for over-charging

SIX-HUNDRED GPs have been hit with a written warning after they decided to increase their consultation fee from €23 to €25 without approval.

France's biggest doctors' union, MG France, invited its members last month to take the move as part of an ongoing campaign for fees to be re-evaluated.

French social security body Cnam estimates that 600 doctors went ahead with the unauthorised price hike.

Although it only affects 0.4% of the feuilles de soin issued in the past month, the group has decided to take action and warn those GPs that they are breaking the law.

Cnam président Nicolas Revel told Le Quotidien du Médecin: "This practice, although very limited, is nonetheless unacceptable as it puts an unjustified strain on patients (who are still only reimbursed based on the legal €23 fee)".

Local Cpam bodies are sending out letters this week reminding GPs "of their contractual obligations", he said.

He added that sanctions would be taken against any doctors who continue to flout the rules.

The cost of seeing a GP has been €23 since 2011 and health minister Marisol Touraine recently rejected calls for an increase to €25.

Healthcare professionals say the price needs to increase to ensure a continued level of quality service.

Further negotiations on a potential rise are not due to be held until next year.