According to the consumer protection association UFC-Que Choisir, which denounced on Thursday, February 22, more than half of specialists charge excessive fees. “the rising cost of care” and its consequences for the health of the poorest people.

According to the associationAccording to the study, which compiled health insurance data, 52.2% of private specialists overcharged in 2021, compared to 45.8% five years earlier.

Of the eight specialties included in the study, gynecology is the one that practices the most excesses, with 71.4% of the doctors affected. The average deductible for gynecologists is 20.60 euros, with a basic consultation of 30 euros (as of 2022).

They are followed by ophthalmologists (66.7% above the health insurance rate, an average deductible of 13.80 euros) and anesthetists (58.8% above the social insurance rate, an average deductible of 10.90 euros).

Greater excesses in Paris

“National averages mask deep territorial inequalities”highlights the UFC’s Que Choisir, who notes that consultation is possible “Up to 2.5 times more expensive from department to department”.

In general, Paris is the champion in all overtaking categories, followed by the rest of Ile-de-France, the coastal departments in the south (particularly Alpes-Maritimes and Var) and some departments with large metropolises, especially the Rhône and Bas-Rhin.

Among anesthetists, whose prices can vary between one and two throughout France, the enforceable price of 30 euros is respected in seventeen départements, mainly in rural areas.

On the other hand, “In five departments (Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Somme, Haute-Saône) the fees are 50 euros or more”emphasizes the club.

Call to condition increases

Due to this growing distance from the conventional tariff, the association is demanding “the blocking of access to Sector 2 (toll-free) for new arrivals”. In their opinion, new doctors should only be entitled to the new system called “Optam”, which allows overcharging, but under much more controlled conditions than in Sector 2. In particular, the Optam doctor has the obligation to withhold the traditional fees for a part of them his patients.

While private doctors are currently negotiating with health insurance, the UFC’s Que Choisir is demanding more “Condition” a future increase in the conventional price “the effective reduction of the remaining amount to be paid by users”.

According to an exclusive November 2023 UFC-Que Choisir Consumer Observatory survey conducted among a representative sample of 1,004 people, 45% of the lowest-income respondents say they have difficulty finding a doctor’s appointment, compared to just 4% of the richest households. According to this survey, 38% of people who find themselves in poor health forego care for financial reasons.