DGCCRF investigates healthcare professionals

The French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) conducted an investigation between 2025 and 2026, focusing on liberal healthcare professionals such as dentists and doctors. The probe was based on reports from SignalConso, a consumer complaint platform, and information from partners like professional orders and the Health Insurance Fund.

Inspection results show widespread non-compliance

Over 525 dentists were checked, with more than 189 ordered to comply and a dozen repressive follow-ups initiated. Around 300 doctors were also checked, with about 100 corrective follow-ups and approximately a dozen repressive actions expected. Nearly 39% of the checked establishments faced follow-ups, and nearly 90% of the violations were corrected.

Common violations include missing information and misleading claims

Among the most frequent violations, 52% of dentists checked had at least one issue, such as missing prices in the waiting room or unclear information about the agreement status. Similarly, 55% of doctors had at least one violation, primarily the absence of required statements mandated by the decree of May 30, 2018. Problems also included incomplete patient documents and misleading claims about the origin of dental prostheses.

Overruns and misleading advertising were also found

In dental and radiology centers, the DGCCRF noted the absence of required statements and instances of fee overruns. One imaging center accepted a negotiated fine of 150,000 euros after misleading patients into thinking they were consulting sector 1 doctors. Three-quarters of the practitioners were found to be charging overruns, which are fees not justified by the service provided.

Legal requirements mandate clear and visible information

The decree of May 30, 2018, requires healthcare professionals to display readable and visible information in waiting areas and at payment locations. This includes standard billing phrases, agreement status, fees for at least five common services, and prior information on what is not reimbursed. The same information must also be visible on online appointment booking platforms, where discrepancies are often found.

Prosthesis and device estimates must be standardized

The Public Health Code mandates standardized estimates for prosthesis and custom devices, clearly distinguishing selling prices, responsibility rates, overruns, and covered parts. Practitioners must also provide documents ensuring traceability and safety of materials. Since January 1, 2024, conventioned professionals can only bill for care services and cannot charge for non-care services. Fees for digital archiving in imaging must be optional, clearly priced, and displayed with prior information.

Follow-ups and penalties are standard for non-compliance

The most frequent follow-up after inspections is an injunction to comply, setting a deadline to correct displays, estimates, or documents. If corrections are made within the deadline and evidenced, the issue is generally resolved. Administrative fines of up to 3,000 euros for individuals and 15,000 euros for legal entities can be imposed for violations. Professionals have a month to submit observations and discuss the proposed publicity measure. In exceptional cases, criminal proceedings can be initiated, with penalties up to two years in prison and 300,000 euros in fines for individuals.

DGCCRF advises professionals to prepare for inspections

To prepare for inspections, professionals should check the display support, ensure accurate information on agreement situations, review estimates, and ensure any additional fees are justified and traceable. During and after an inspection, precise responses are required, with written evidence of corrections. If a fine is announced, the one-month deadline should be respected to discuss the publicity measure. The DGCCRF has indicated it will continue to maintain pressure on these compliance issues.