Plans to limit overcharge doctors

DOCTORS who charge more than the standard state-set rates could have their fees capped under plans by the new health minister, Marisol Touraine.

She said a growing number of doctors were charging more than the base tariff on which the state applies its refund, and that this is having a knock-on effect on people’s access to healthcare.

The potential new limits would apply to “sector two” doctors (those allowed to charge more than the fixed rates on which state reimbursements are based). Hospital doctors such as surgeons, anaesthetists and obstetricians often practise such tariffs.

Ms Touraine said there were some evident “abuses” of the system and that some practitioners were being “inconsiderate”. Their fees, she said, were “preventing a certain number of French people from going to get treated.” She is proposing a decree that would set up an upper limit on the practice, which is called dépassements d’honoraires.

According to recent figures, a quarter of doctors charge more than the standard base rate, rising to 85% among specialists. The amount extra that they charge has been rising constantly for the past 20 years, bringing in an extra €2.5bn a year for practitioners.

A recent investigation by the consumer magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs found some specialists in public hospitals charged up to 12 times more than the base rate covered by the Assurance Maladie for certain medical acts.

A decree passed by Nicolas Sarkozy’s government earlier this year required top-up healthcare insurers to reimburse in full certain bills from doctors who charge above the standard rates. However the insurers are only held to the obligation if the doctor has pledged to limit their dépassements to 50% of the standard rate and also to carry out 30% of their medical acts at the standard rate.

Connexion has published an updated helpguide to healthcare in France (cost €7.50) which explains reimbursements. See www.connexion france.com or call Nathalie on 06 40 61 71 97 to order.