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Tessan Group teleconsultation priority fees spark healthcare debate
A controversy has emerged in France regarding teleconsultation services that allow patients to pay for priority access to doctors. The debate was sparked by a viral video showing a Tessan Group kiosk, where patients facing wait times of nearly two hours were offered the option to skip the queue for a 5 euro fee.
Tessan Group, which operates kiosks often located in pharmacies, describes the system as a solution to medical deserts and doctor shortages. The company reports having over 1,700 partner locations and managing 3,500 patients daily. While the medical consultation itself remains subject to standard rates and is reimbursable under certain conditions, the priority fee is an additional charge that is not covered by French National Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie).
The practice is not unique to Tessan. Other platforms such as Qare, Kry, Medadom, and MédecinDirect also offer paid services to secure faster appointments, with costs ranging between 5 and 20 euros. Critics argue that these fees create a two-tier healthcare system, undermining the principle of equal access to medical care.
Entities
Assurance Maladie · Kry · Medadom · Qare · Tessan Group
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The fees for priority access are not reimbursed by French National Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie). www.estrepublicain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Additional fees for faster access can range from 5 to 20 euros depending on the platform. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Multiple teleconsultation platforms, including Qare, Kry, Medadom, and MédecinDirect, offer paid services to secure faster appointments. www.estrepublicain.fr · www.leprogres.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tessan manages more than 3,500 patients daily. www.profession-gendarme.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tessan Group offers a priority access service for a 5 euro fee via teleconsultation kiosks. www.profession-gendarme.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tessan Group has over 1,700 partner locations and more than 500 engaged doctors. www.profession-gendarme.com