Depassements

[Jon 1]

My wife had to have a mole removed and she was charged an additional depassement of 50 euros over and above the standard 104.50 euros.
We are not in an expensive area and I was under the impression that depassements were more prevalent in more affluent parts of France.
What is the norm for these charges?
I ask this question because I would not like to think we had an additional charge just because we were etrangers.
I am a little suspicious because the receptionist had to seek assistance on how to add it to the feuille de soins.
We do not have a mutuelle, but am I correct in my assumption that a standard mutuelle would not have covered this depassement?
With regard to the actual op, we were quite shocked as to the length of the incision when the mole was quite small and flat.
My wife has had a much larger mole removed in the UK and the incision was really small.

[BJSLIV]

Depassements are very common. That is why the mutuelles offer banded packages offering say 100% , 200%, 300%, 400% of the standard rate for increased premiums. In this case you really do get what you pay for.

[Owen]

Hello Jon,

I was beginning to wonder when somebody would bring up this subject as a resuilt of personal experience. A few of us have emphasised on this forum that
100% does not necessarily mean full costs covered whether it is applied by CPAM or the CPAM plus the complementary insurance.

It is certainly true that these "depassements" are more commonly applied in areas such as the Cote d'Azur and Paris. There are any number of reasons why this "depassement" was applied. Private clinics tend to apply them more often than a public hospital and the operation may have been performed by a skin cancer specialist for example. Even if it was because you are a foreigner (unlikely in my opinion) then there is nothing you can do about it. And I have to say the "depassement" you were hit with, approx 150% of the tarif, is pretty tame compared to some which I have seen.

There is no such thing as a "standard" mutuelle really. What I will say, and most long time residents of France will agree with me, is that to have a complementary insurance of some sort is stongly recommended. The actual choice will be dependant on your personal and health circumstances. I can only quote my own line of reasoning. I enjoy excellent health and so the occasional time I visit the doctor or dentist I am quite happy to pay any difference out of my own pocket. But I cycle on average 300 kms a week so if I am hospitalised as a result of an accident, or any other reason for that matter, then I want the cover to be there. I do not live on the Cote d'Azur but about 1 hours drive away and I know that I could be charged very heavy depassements. So my complementary insurance covers hospitalisation and pays the full difference betweeen CPAM and the full bill which will include any outrageous depassements and trreatment ante and post a hospital stay. But clearly such a policy would be unsuitable for someone who wants cover for regular medication.

Regards

Peter Owen
pjowen@rivieramail.com