Cancer Patient Exposes Profit-Driven Practices in Moroccan Private Clinics

According to Assabah, which recounts the story of the former teacher, the latter was directed to a private clinic in Rabat, after undergoing several medical examinations in Casablanca. "After a series of medical tests and filing my file with the hospital, I was directed to another analysis laboratory to undergo various more elaborate tests, some of which had already been done, but which I had to redo, since the attending physician is more confident in this laboratory".

She adds that "the clinics ensure, above all, that the patient has medical coverage, and demand the submission of a security check, in addition to the balance not covered by health insurance, and a cash payment", specifying that the patient is forced to pay in advance the amount not covered by the insurance. As for the cash payment, she states that the clinics "bill random amounts without any receipt or supporting invoice, including the doctor’s fees, the room, essential medicines, dressings, food and even oxygen".

Regarding the billed expenses, she adds, according to the newspaper, that they are determined on a case-by-case basis. For the removal of a tumor, she was billed several million cents, of which 25,000 dirhams were paid in cash, and the difference was covered by the medical coverage. Two-thirds of the amount of chemotherapy, on the other hand, is covered by health insurance, while the remaining third is paid in cash in exchange for an invoice.