City Hall removes registered server negotiating tests for SUS patients in private clinic

The city opened an investigation to investigate the case based on Audios that will reveal the negotiations of values. (listen above)

In addition to removing the server, the secretary also said that the entire sector of the Ministry of Health where the suspect worked will be investigated to find out if there was any misconduct by the staff.

The attorney general’s office is also on the case and the Etapolis attorney general’s office, in a memo, has reported that information has been requested from the city council about investigation procedures already in place.

According to the city, Itápolis currently has more than a thousand applications for this type of test and the waiting list equates to about five years of assistance.

In the audio recording made by a resident, the employee, in addition to indicating the private clinic, offers a discount on the amount paid (listen above):

resident: The girl, from the health unit there, said that it takes four years to do this examination. There are people on the four-year waiting list for an MRI, right?
employee: Since 2016. I’ve been booking, this year, I’m starting to book a 2016 crew. So, there’s almost five years on average.
resident: And what dies?
employee: Look, I think because of the MRI of the lumbar spine, I don’t think that’s the case, do I?
resident: Will it be?
employee: But, if they cannot afford the discount, they cannot wait for the SUS queue, and the only condition remaining is social assistance.
resident: But .. Bid with discount how much is it?
employee: R$530 for cash and R$560 for card. This is the discounted amount.
resident: Fine! we will see. Let’s do it!

In an audio clip that is part of the complaint in Itápolis, the employee gives the prices of the tests – Photo: TV TEM / Reprodução

The resident who went to the Minister of Health also recorded the conversation to question the situation. The secretary denied the existence of any kind of accusation and advised the resident to go to the Public Prosecution.

a The municipality informed that it had opened an investigation to investigate the complaint. The municipal administration said in a statement, “It will take appropriate measures to investigate the facts contained in the audio recording.”

According to the city, Itápolis currently has more than a thousand applications for this type of test and the waiting list equates to about five years of assistance.

Regarding backlog demand, the memo says the municipal government is “taking action to increase resources to reduce pent-up demand,” as well as conducting a survey of requests indicating urgency or contingency that should be prioritized.

In a statement, the Ipitanja clinic informed that “the clinic does not have any legal or commercial relationship and does not have a contract or agreement signed with the municipality of Itapolis.” The memo also confirms that the clinic does not provide any patient care in Itapolis through SUS.

The text also highlights that “the company seeks to provide affordable testing to people in need in neighboring cities who do not wish to wait in a waiting list for the long delay in taking the test by SUS and choose to take the exam. The private exam, with a discount being given to patients most in need to enable them to access to high-cost tests.”