Fraudulent Anesthesia Billing Scandal Unveiled at Louis Pasteur Clinic in Cataract Surgeries

On October 10, 2025, the anti-corruption association AC! Anticorruption filed a complaint against unknown individuals concerning alleged fraudulent billing practices related to anesthesia services during cataract surgeries at the Louis Pasteur clinic in Essey-lès-Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle. The complaint, submitted to the public health division of the Paris prosecutor's office, accuses the parties involved of "aggravated fraud to the detriment of a public service organization" and "forgery and use of forged documents." (IDs 95397, 95400)

Patients who underwent cataract operations reported being charged for anesthesia that was never actually administered. These surgeries utilized topical anesthesia—a method involving only anesthetic drops or gel applied by a nurse—with no anesthesiologist intervention. Despite this, the clinic regularly billed the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM) €111 per anesthesia service and charged patients an additional approximately €100 fee. These charges were reimbursed partially by Social Security, indicating a misuse of public health funds. (IDs 95397, 95400)

The complaint suggests that similar billing irregularities have been reported in over 30 cases across various departments, signaling a potentially widespread issue beyond the Louis Pasteur clinic alone. While a clinic representative claimed unawareness of the complaint, the association's president, Marcel Claude, emphasized the fragile state of CPAM and called for increased vigilance among patients regarding their health insurance bills. He highlighted the need for collective action and recommended a monitoring campaign to prevent and detect such fraudulent practices. (IDs 95397, 95400)

This development sheds light on a significant corruption scandal within the French healthcare system, raising concerns about the integrity of billing procedures and the safeguarding of public funds. Authorities are expected to investigate the matter further to determine accountability and implement corrective measures.