CSNCP
Patients
Clear guidance to stay well informed before, during and after your stay in a clinic.
Your rights
In every private clinic, you are entitled to:
- Information: clear explanations about your health, the proposed care, its risks and alternatives.
- Consent: no procedure may be performed without your free and informed consent, except in life-threatening emergencies.
- Free choice of your doctor and your facility.
- Confidentiality: medical secrecy protects all information about you.
- Access to your medical record and to the reports of your tests and procedures.
- Prior information on costs: ask for a detailed quote before any planned hospital stay.
- Dignity and respect for your privacy, beliefs and pain.
Understanding your bill
A clinic bill usually has two separate parts: clinic fees and medical fees.
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Stay | Room, accommodation, meals, nursing care, per day. |
| Operating theatre | Theatre, equipment, theatre staff. |
| Pharmacy and supplies | Medicines, medical devices, any prostheses and implants. |
| Tests | Laboratory tests, imaging, investigations. |
| Medical fees | Surgeon, anaesthetist, other doctors — often billed separately. |
CNAM and insurance coverage
CNAM
Depending on the scheme chosen with CNAM (the National Health Insurance Fund) and the agreements in force, some procedures and hospital stays in private clinics may be covered in full or in part. Coverage usually requires prior approval from CNAM.
- Check your entitlementUp-to-date membership and chosen scheme (public, private or reimbursement).
- Request prior approvalWith your medical file and the clinic's quote, before admission.
- Present the approval on admissionThe clinic then applies direct billing for the covered share.
Supplementary insurance
Your group insurance or mutual fund may top up CNAM reimbursement. Check ceilings, deadlines and required documents, and whether the clinic has a direct-billing agreement with your insurer.
Filing a complaint
Most issues are resolved directly with the facility. Recommended steps:
- Contact the clinicWrite to the management or the quality / patient relations department, describing the facts and enclosing supporting documents.
- Wait for a written replyThe facility must review your request and respond.
- Contact the ChamberIf the dispute with a member clinic persists, the Chamber can offer mediation.
- Other remediesDepending on the issue: Ministry of Health, National Council of the Medical Association, CNAM or your insurer.
General information for guidance only, to be validated by the Chamber. It does not replace the regulations in force or advice from your fund or insurer.