Medicine has also moved to the Netflix model and not everyone likes that. The Ramsay Santé group of private clinics launched a teleconsultation service like no other a year ago: for 11.90 euros per month, patients have access to a doctor by phone or video every day and at any time.
An unprecedented offer in France and one that is causing controversy as the overwhelmed health system struggles to function properly and liberal doctors, worried after the vote on a new bill, were still called on strike on Friday. Faced with a wave of negative reactions, Ramsay has published his response.
No additional cost, within the “reasonable” limit of 20 calls per year
The offer is attractive: diverse, “made in France” and with the guarantee of immediate access. “Without filters or intermediaries, without waiting times or appointments to schedule, you get directly and immediately in contact with the doctor or health professional […] More than 20 medical specialties represented […]100% of doctors and paramedical professionals are qualified in France and registered with the Council of the Order of Physicians or the Order of their profession,” Ramsay announces on his site.
However, it is not unlimited since its telemedicine partner Medaviz specifies in its general conditions of use that the number of calls cannot exceed a “reasonable” limit estimated at 20 ^ per year.
Since Covid, teleconsultation has been on the rise. In fact, in 2020, while France and most countries in the world were confined, the French health authorities recommended that citizens consult by teleconsultation instead of traveling. An explosion of applications followed. With its offer, Ramsay takes advantage of its generalization but, unlike other platforms such as Qare or MédecinDirect, you have to pay to subscribe. Scandalous for some, who have made it known.
“A fast lane for those who can pay”
Subscription is not new, but the rise of disputes, in particular on social networks, is. “General medicine is so useless that costs less than a Netflix subscription“, we can read, for example, on Twitter.
What exactly is the problem? For Arnaud Bontemps, spokesman for the Nos Services Publics collective, it is not a question of attacking Ramsay but of defending everyone’s access to primary care and avoiding the deregulation of the sector that is accelerating.
Dr. Sophie Bauer, president of the union of liberal doctors, accuses this “Navigo teleconsultation pass” of transforming medicine into “a common consumer good.”
“For 13 euros we will buy all the sick leave we want”, he continues before adding that this will divert an already scarce medical resource towards “low cost” practices. It also highlights the importance of being followed by doctors who know the history of their patients.
Saturated health system: the failure of public authorities?
Discussed, the subscription Ramsay offers nonetheless certainly meets the expectations of certain patients who are fed up with not being able to find an appointment quickly.
Because the French health system works badly. Dr. Sophie Bauer even speaks of the “organized destruction” of it by the public authorities for several years and Arnaud Bontemps appeals above all to the State to resolve the situation.
Medical deserts, saturation of emergencies, shortage of personnel… The problems accumulate without being resolved. Half of the French have difficulties in obtaining health care according to an Elabe survey published in January 2023. More than one in ten even say they do not have access to health care services and a similar proportion do not have a doctor. Should we be surprised if some decide to pay for free care that can’t be found?
Ramsay Santé turned down an interview request from BFM Business but issued a statement on Wednesday to respond to criticism that has multiplied in recent days.
Ramsay fights back, doctors’ order condemns offer
In Ramsay’s press release, the group points out that this type of service is already offered by mutuals or health insurance. “Ramsay Santé surveyed more than 2,000 people about their daily health and wellness expectations before offering this service. The possibility of contacting a doctor at any time, without it being an emergency service, has aroused great interest because it reassures patients “, the company also explains.
Ramsay adds that this service that allows “obtaining a medical opinion or an answer to a health question” does not replace a general practitioner and that “there is no consultation cost for the patient, nor reimbursement by Health Insurance (no reimbursement). ” In addition, it is “non-binding”, it benefits the whole household and “1/3 of the calls are made outside the hours of medical consultations”.
While the controversy grows, the National Council of the College of Physicians expressed this Thursday its opposition to this offer “contrary to medical ethics.” The order denounces a service that violates the health system model based on solidarity and free of charge and specifies that “medical teleconsultations, offered by these platforms, are not reimbursed by Health Insurance and are the responsibility of the patient.”
Source: BFM TV
