In Brazil, complaints against health plans and operators have surged to the highest level in 12 years, according to the National Consumer Secretary. A notable case involves dentist Danielle Santos, who has been battling health issues for six months, including severe bleeding and pain. Her struggles highlight the larger issue many consumers face: when seeking necessary medical procedures, they are often met with obstacles such as surgical refusals by covered doctors and exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses ranging from R$ 10,000 to R$ 45,000 for surgery.

Data from 2025 indicates nearly 35,000 complaints were registered, averaging about four complaints per hour. The primary grievances cited by consumers include denials of coverage for essential medical procedures and slow reimbursement processes. Despite most consumers attempting to resolve these issues directly with their operators, their efforts have largely been unsuccessful, indicating a systemic problem within the Brazilian healthcare system.

This surge in complaints may prompt legislative scrutiny and potential reforms aimed at holding health operators accountable. As more Brazilians share their negative experiences, the pressure on regulatory authorities to ensure fair treatment and prompt medical services is likely to intensify, forcing health operators to re-evaluate their practices and policies in order to better serve their customers.