Patients in France unaware of GP’s ban were not reimbursed for care

Patients in France who were unaware that their doctor had been banned from working have discovered that their care was not reimbursed as a result.

The GP in Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) had been suspended from practicing medicine by medical authority l’Ordre des médecins for several months due to “an inter-professional dispute with her partner”, reports local newspaper Nice-Matin.

She had been banned since December 1, 2024, with the suspension set to continue until at least February 27, 2025.

However, she continued to practice illegally, and receive patients without telling them of the suspension. Due to the ban patients treated were not eligible for their care to be reimbursed by l’Assurance maladie.

Reimbursements refused

The patients only became aware of the suspension when their reimbursement claims were refused.

“I found out from my laboratory, which warned me when it saw her name on the prescription,” said one patient to Nice-Matin. 

“I contacted la Securité sociale,” said another patient. “They told me that none of the consultations in December appeared. This means that she wasn't swiping patients’ cartes Vitale, she was just taking payment.”

Read also: What is a carte Vitale and why do I need one in France? 
Read more: Why your carte Vitale health card may have stopped working in France 

Patients advised to lodge complaint

Patients affected have been advised to lodge a complaint with the departmental medical organisation l’Ordre des Médecins des Alpes-Maritimes, said its president Philippe Paquis. The organisation has also summoned the GP to answer for her actions.

The Ordre added that although the GP certainly appeared to be guilty of “illegal practice of medicine”, the case does not call into question the quality of her professional skills.