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26/04/2008, 13:29 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis One of the differences between the UK and French systems is that in the UK the service is 'free at the point of delivery' In France if you can't pay, or don't have some form of cover, it can be refused, which seems incredible to British people used to the NHS I have Cancer, and have a 100% cover from the Sécurité Sociale, as it is counted as an ALD. Ir seems that some where along the line ( in June 2007) the analysis of one of my biopsy samples by the Pathologist wasn't paid for, because today, after having another sample sent to the same lab, I received a letter refusing to do the analysis of the most recent sample ( to see if I also have a cancer elsewhere) : I quote the last paragraph: "Nous vous rappelons l'importance des examens d'anatomie cytologie pathologiques qui ont pour but principal le dépistage du cancer. C'est pourquoi, si vous n'envisagez pas de régulariser votre situation vis à vis de notre Cabinet, nous vous demandons de venir récupérer votre prélèvement afin de faire réaliser cet examen chez un de nos Confrères pathologiste." My (very free) translation: We remind you of the importance of the pathological analysis of these samples, which is intended principally to detect the presence of Cancer. This is why if you don't intend to pay what you owe us from before, we ask you to come and collect the samples from us and take them to analysed at one of our colleagues' laboratories. Remember that this is paid for by the Sécurité Sociale They are sure of the payment as I am on 100% I didn't choose this lab, the sample was sent by my Cancer specialist, and I have never and any direct contact with them so it is not as if I had contracted anything with them I have no other outstanding Heathcare bills. The one they are quibbling about is for  64,06 euros Of course I will go in and see them on Monday (give them cash if I have to) but I found the tone of the letter very misplaced; a sort of blackmail. "The Sécu haven't paid one of our bills so we won't do your samples, even though we know you have cancer...that will make you get of your backside and sort  it out" What I would like to do is make a lot of fuss about it. Has anyone any good ideas about who I can approach for maximum publicity? I can write good French..    Report

26/04/2008, 14:43 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,337 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis Norman, I sympathise immensely.  Will file your story away at the back of my mind should I ever have occasion to remember it. Good Luck with the sample!    Report

26/04/2008, 22:45 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,812 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis Norman. "Si vous n'envisager pas de regulariser votre situation vis a vis nôtre cabinet" doesnt actually say "pay your outstanding bill" but if you know that there is an outstanding one then I am sure you are right. One small question though, if you know of an outstanding bill does that mean that they have already approached you about it?, perhaps you forgot to sign or send off something? They might not be looking for you to pay the bill but perhaps to enable it to be paid. To me the letter has no bad tone or is not threatening, probably best to concentrate on your recovery than kick up a fuss. Good luck with your treatment. If I were in your shoes I know what country I would rather be in.    Report

27/04/2008, 7:09 Tony F Dordogne Joined on 10/04/2005 Small village in the Dordogne, near St Cyprien Posts 1,476 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis I agree with JR, I can see nothing wrong with their response, seems quite standard and not aggressive at all.  I'm also 100% Norman because of my leukaemia thing but I have to pay some element of my fees and then recclaim them through CPAM, especially where blood tests/biopsies are concerned. Perhaps their original bill was misplaced? I'd just pay the outstanding amount and then get on with life. Tony F Dordogne (24) Huguenot Trails    Report

27/04/2008, 8:45 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis Thanks everybody. I just wanted to highlight the fact that in France such services aren't free at the point of delivery and if you can't pay you can be refused. I am in the fortunate position that it is a small bill, but I feel for someone with a large bill and a small income.    Report

27/04/2008, 11:05 Sprogster Joined on 23/08/2004 Var & C.I. Posts 319 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis NormanH has an extremely good point to make. Can you imagine if this happened in the UK, it would be national news and you could probably sue the lab senseless! Contrary to the generalised perception of some posters, the French helath care system is not universally better than the NHS, as in both countries in varies considerably from region to region. As such it is just as possible to get poor or good treatment in France as in the UK. The UK is generally accepted within the worldwide medical community as having amongst the best cancer specialists and related medical research in the world. There just needs to be more of them.    Report

27/04/2008, 11:10 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 6,782 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis I am at a loss to see how an unpaid lab bill equates with poor health treatment Clair, a Real Virtual French Person Ma Plus Belle Histoire d'Amour    Report

27/04/2008, 11:31 Russethouse Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 9,799 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis Because turning down a request for analysis for something as serious as Cancer is simply not part of the NHS/British  mindset - my guess is they would do the test and get the money afterward.(if applicable)  It's a cultural thing www.quimperclub.org 99    Report

27/04/2008, 11:45 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 2,959 Re: Laboratory refuses to do the necessary analysis I agree.  It's yet another example of an administrative ***-up.  Experience tells me that these kind of a-rule-is-a-rule-is-a-rule-and-no-one-has-told-me-otherwise-no-exceptions interpretations are far more likely to occur in France than the UK.  Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

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