• PLN 10, 70 or even 350 is the amount of so-called covid fee charged at some private medical facilities.
• President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny urges the entrepreneurs to inform consumers about prices and fees in an honest and reliable manner before providing services.
• The Trade Inspection Authority shall verify whether the entrepreneurs properly inform consumers about the so-called covid fees before the service is provided.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has received complaints and queries from consumers about fees charged by dentists or doctors in connection with coronavirus. According to the information provided by private medical facilities, these fees are expected to cover the costs related to the protection of offices against the virus, e.g. additional cleansing agents, masks, protective gowns. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny had a closer look at the fees applied in selected locations. More than 30 % of inspected locations applied so-called covid fees for meeting sanitary requirements while providing services. 

“I do urge all providers of diverse range of services, especially private medical facilities, to provide reliable and accurate information on prices and fees before services are provided,” says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

He also asks the consumers to stay alert and cautious.

“In this challenging time especially, let us be cautious and compare offers across medical facilities. Some entrepreneurs are making additional money under the excuse of additional costs, so we should verify the total price of the service even before it begins or before signing the contract,” he adds.

Based on OSI conducted by UOKiK, the fees imposed ranged from PLN 10 up to PLN 350. On average, the patients had to pay slightly more than PLN 70. The good news is that patients of chain medical centres are unlikely to be affected by such fees.

At the same time, we would like to remind you that the entrepreneur should provide the total cost of the service before it is performed. If they charge extra fees, they should clearly inform the consumer before entering into the contract.

Cases where customers are informed about additional costs after the procedure, visit, or service are unacceptable. The correct price indication in this respect is controlled by the Trade Inspection Authority. Incorrect price indication may result in a penalty of up to PLN 20 thousand being imposed upon the entrepreneur by the Trade Inspection Authority officer.

Consumer – you have the right to:

• An honest and clear price,
• Safe products,
• Reliable information on the offer,
• Free legal assistance.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection constantly monitors the market and analyses information obtained from consumers and entrepreneurs. If a seller or service provider raises a price in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, report it to the UOKiK at: monitoring@uokik.gov.pl or by phone: 801 440 220, 22 290 89 16.

Consumer support:

Phone: +48 801 440 220 or +48 22 290 89 16 – consumer helpline
E-mail: porady@dlakonsumentow.pl
Consumer ombudsmen – in your town or district
Regional Consumer Centres: 22 299 60 90 – Dlakonsumenta.pl

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL