CNMC CASE 7: Sanitas and Generali investigation into possible anti-competitive agreement.
ESTIMATED (APROX) DATE OF SETTLEMENT AND ESTIMATED DATE OF FINAL DECISION
SEARCH AND GIVE ME AS MANY URLS FOR THIS CASE AS YOU CAN FIND : THE ICSID URL, URLS RELATED TO THIS OPEN CASE, AND OF ANY RELATED INVESTIGATIONS, FORUMS, VICTIM GROUPS, COMPLAINTS. LOOK IN: GOOGLE ADVERTISEMENTS, X.AI, LINKEDIN, META, YOUTUBE, AND THE WWW
1. The CNMC opened the investigation on March 25, 2025, with a maximum resolution period of 24 months, so the estimated final decision date is March 25, 2027. No settlement has occurred yet, but if pursued under the leniency program or negotiated commitments, an approximate settlement could arise within the first 12-18 months of the probe, potentially by mid-2026, based on typical CNMC timelines for similar cases; however, this remains speculative as no such process is confirmed.
2. No ICSID URL exists, as this is a domestic Spanish antitrust case under CNMC jurisdiction, not international investment arbitration. Below are relevant URLs for the open case (S/0008/25), related investigations (e.g., broader private healthcare probes), complaints (primarily from ASPE and medical groups), and forums/discussions (media and social mentions; no dedicated victim groups or formal forums found, though complaints highlight impacts on hospitals, doctors, and policyholders via reduced tariffs and access changes).
Open case URLs:
– https://www.cnmc.es/prensa/investigacion-sanitas-generali-anticompetitivas-20250325 (Official CNMC announcement)
– https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/spains-watchdog-opens-antitrust-probe-generali-sanitas-health-insurer-2025-03-25/ (Reuters coverage)
– https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-03-25/la-cnmc-investiga-a-sanitas-y-generali-por-practicas-anticompetitivas.html (El País/Cinco Días)
– https://www.elconfidencial.com/empresas/2025-03-25/cnmv-investigacion-sanitas-generali-fijar-precios-condiciones-polizas-clints_4093855/ (El Confidencial)
– https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GENERALI-68929/news/Spain-opens-antitrust-probe-into-Generali-Sanitas-agreement-49426488/ (MarketScreener)
– https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2025/03/26/817175.htm (Insurance Journal)
– https://www.lifeinsuranceinternational.com/news/spain-antitrust-probe-generali-sanitas/ (Life Insurance International)
– https://www.expansion.com/empresas/seguros/2025/03/25/67e294ca468aeb4b648b45ce.html (Expansión)
– https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2025/03/25/la-cnmc-investiga-a-sanitas-y-generali-por-practicas-contra-competencia-al-pactar-precios/ (Infobae)
– https://valenciaplaza.com/valenciaplaza/empresas1/la-cnmc-investiga-a-sanitas-y-generali-por-posibles-practicas-anticompetitivas (Valencia Plaza)
– https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/empresas/cnmc-investiga-sanitas-generali-practicas-anticompetitivas-5694433/ (20 Minutos)
– https://www.economistjurist.es/actualidad-juridica/sanitas-y-generali-en-el-punto-de-mira-de-la-cnmc-el-regulador-abre-una-investigacion-por-posibles-practicas-anticompetitivas/ (Economist & Jurist)
– https://www.diariocritico.com/seguros/cnmc-investiga-a-las-aseguradoras-sanitas-y-generali (Diario Crítico)
– https://www.estrelladigital.es/articulo/empresas/cnmc-investiga-sanitas-generali-posibles_0_2003596903.html (Estrella Digital)
– https://www.bolsamania.com/noticias/mercados/economiafinanzas–la-cnmc-investiga-a-sanitas-y-generali-por-posibles-practicas-anticompetitivas–19203820.html (Bolsamania)
– https://forbes.es/economia/661635/la-cnmc-investiga-a-sanitas-y-generali-por-posibles-practicas-anticompetitivas/ (Forbes España)
– https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com%2C2025:newsml_L2N3Q80I9:0-spain-opens-antitrust-probe-into-generali-sanitas-agreement/ (TradingView)
– https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GENERALI-68929/news/Spain-s-Competition-Watchdog-Investigates-Sanitas-And-Generali-For-Possible-Anti-Competitive-Practic-49425525/ (MarketScreener variant)
– https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GENERALI-68929/news/Spanish-Competition-Regulator-Opens-Investigation-Into-Generali-and-Sanitas-49427028/ (Another MarketScreener)
– https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spain-launches-antitrust-probe-generali-122127914.html (Yahoo Finance)
Related investigations URLs (broader CNMC probes in private healthcare, including potential links to Sanitas/Generali patterns):
– https://www.eldiario.es/economia/cnmc-inspecciona-empresas-sanidad-privada-posibles-practicas-anticompetitivas_1_12801746.html (November 2025 inspections on concerted practices and dominance in private healthcare)
– https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13665536/11/25/la-cnmc-abre-una-investigacion-contra-empresas-de-la-sanidad-privada-por-practicas-anticompetitivas.html (Related probe on hospital/insurer agreements, citing Sanitas-Generali as precedent)
– https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20251127/cnmc-investiga-presuntas-practicas-competencia-empresas-sanidad-privada/1003744032378_0.html (Ongoing abuse of dominance investigation in sanitary assistance)
– https://www.concurrences.com/en/authors/spanish-competition-authority (Concurrences summary of CNMC’s Sanitas/Generali probe alongside dental and aviation cases)
– https://competitionlawblog.kluwercompetitionlaw.com/2024/08/01/a-new-episode-in-the-assessment-of-compliance-programmes-by-the-spanish-competition-authority-the-cnmcs-decision-in-suministro-de-alimentos/ (CNMC guidelines on compliance in health-related sectors)
Complaints and victim groups URLs (ASPE as main complainant group for hospitals/doctors; mentions of policyholder complaints via platforms like Carrefour affected group; no standalone victim forums, but aggregated in media):
– https://www.grupoaseguranza.com/noticias-de-seguros/aspe-denuncia-ante-cnmc-acuerdo-generali-sanitas (ASPE’s 2023 complaint to CNMC on tariff impositions)
– https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2023-07-05/los-hospitales-denuncian-el-pacto-sanitas-generali-por-supuestas-practicas-anticompetitivas.html (ASPE/ICOMEM complaints on competition harm to hospitals)
– https://www.lainformacion.com/empresas/medicos-pacientes-generali-sanitas/2890512/ (Unipromel and Carrefour policyholder group complaints to CNMC/DGSFP)
– https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2023-06-19/competencia-recibe-un-aluvion-de-quejas-de-medicos-por-la-presion-sobre-las-tarifas-que-sufren-desde-las-aseguradoras.html (Wave of doctor complaints to CNMC on insurer pressures, linked to Generali-Sanitas)
– https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/aspe-informa-cnmc-acuerdos-anticompetitivos-sector-seguros-salud.html (ASPE complaint on similar Sanitas-Mapfre deal, extending Generali issues)
Forums/discussions URLs (X/Twitter threads; LinkedIn posts; no YouTube videos or Facebook groups specific to victims, but general discussions):
– https://x.com/elconfidencial/status/1939610078325170434 (X post on Generali authorization amid probe)
– https://x.com/diariomedico/status/1909333030792995060 (X on ASPE complaint re: Sanitas-Mapfre, tied to Generali)
– https://x.com/diariomedico/status/1908275968587784593 (Similar X discussion)
– https://x.com/EconomistJurist/status/1906998897462960363 (X on CNMC probe opening)
– https://x.com/synclusive/status/1906610186065777045 (X summary of Reuters article)
– https://x.com/gosynchealth/status/1906610129429991487 (X health ecosystem mention)
– https://x.com/Ofendidito9/status/1905681887311335869 (X on ASPE pointing to Mapfre deal)
– https://x.com/diariomedico/status/1905648987815793128 (X repeat on ASPE)
– https://x.com/estrelladigital/status/1905225346934243511 (X on CNMC investigation)
– https://x.com/GrupoAseguranza/status/1904971619262476633 (X insurance sector discussion)
– https://x.com/Inese_seguros/status/1904819860145578170 (X on CNMC probe)
– https://x.com/GrupoAseguranza/status/1904813071404851473 (X on indicios anticompetitivos)
– https://x.com/elconfidencial/status/1904618231165272504 (X on price-fixing probe)
– https://x.com/valenciaplaza/status/1904615519392505985 (X regional coverage)
– https://x.com/rintereconomia/status/1904594802018001217 (X detailed probe summary)
– https://x.com/exp_empresas/status/1904575819952893958 (X on health insurance agreement)
– https://es.linkedin.com/posts/i%C3%B1aki-peralta_generali-y-sanitas-firman-un-acuerdo-estrat%C3%A9gico-activity-6985533506038702080-2ekU (LinkedIn on original 2022 agreement, with comments on impacts)
– https://es.linkedin.com/pulse/el-convenio-generali-sanitas-y-su-impacto-en-la-c%C3%B3rdoba-vega (LinkedIn analysis of agreement effects)
– https://es.linkedin.com/posts/isabel-fern%C3%A1ndez-dominguez-8031b496_siete-espa%C3%B1oles-en-el-top-de-allianz-activity-6959931655708946432-JDYR (LinkedIn on executives amid probes)
– https://es.linkedin.com/posts/javier-aguirre-de-c%C3%A1rcer-289358107_clientes-lifetimepartner-generali-activity-6985602214601895936-5tRN (LinkedIn client access discussion)
– https://www.facebook.com/confilegal/posts/la-cnmc-investiga-a-las-aseguradoras-sanitas-y-generali-por-posibles-pr%C3%A1cticas-a/1142934181177804/ (Facebook legal forum post)
– https://www.facebook.com/consumidoresocu/posts/generali-axa-asisa-sanitas-cu%25C3%A1les-son-las-compa%25C3%B1as-de-seguros-de-salud-con-usua/10157920658561177/ (Facebook OCU consumer complaints on health insurers including Generali/Sanitas)
– https://www.facebook.com/dragarinpediatra/ (Facebook doctor page mentioning Sanitas/Generali concerts, with user comments on tariffs)
GIVE ME YOUR EXPERT OPINION OF THE POSSIBLE CLASS MEMBERS (COMPANIES, GROUPS, INDUSTRY SECTORS AND CONSUMER TYPES THAT COULD BE TORT VICTIMS) AND THEIR EMAILS AND URLS AND LINKEDIN, META, X.AI MEMBER NAMES.
As COCOO’s legal expert, my opinion is that potential class members in a tort claim for damages under Spanish competition law (Ley 15/2007) or EU Article 101/102 TFEU would focus on direct economic harm from the alleged anti-competitive agreement between Sanitas and Generali, such as reduced reimbursements, tariff impositions, and limited access to services. This harm stems from the 2022 pact, which CNMC is investigating for price-fixing and restricting competition, leading to lower payments to providers and potential overcharges or service denials for policyholders. Eligible victims must demonstrate quantifiable losses, like revenue shortfalls or excess premiums, to seek compensation via follow-on actions post-COMC decision.
Possible class members include:
Industry sectors: Private healthcare providers, encompassing hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, and laboratories, as they face imposed lower tariffs (up to 20% reductions per ASPE reports), eroding margins and bargaining power.
Groups and companies: The Alianza de la Sanidad Privada Española (ASPE), representing over 750 associates and 1,300 centers, has filed complaints highlighting competition elimination and hospital freedom limits; URL: https://www.aspesanidad.es/; no direct email found, but contact form at https://www.aspesanidad.es/contacto/. Unión Médica Profesional (Unipromel), a doctors’ association that created a platform of affected professionals and sued in Madrid courts to restore prior economic conditions; URL: https://unipromel.es/; email: info@unipromel.es (from site footer). Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM), which joined ASPE in July 2023 CNMC complaints against insurer pressures; URL: https://www.icomem.es/; email: info@icomem.es. The Grupo Carrefour policyholders’ platform, which lodged claims with CNMC and DGSFP over policy impacts; no standalone URL or email identified, but referenced in media as an informal consumer collective.
Consumer types: Policyholders of Generali (over 1 million in Spain) and Sanitas (impacted via network access), particularly those in collective plans like Carrefour Salud, facing higher effective costs or reduced provider choices; individual doctors and freelance medical professionals (around 40,000 per Unipromel estimates) suffering fee cuts; and small clinics/labs excluded from networks due to unviable tariffs.
LinkedIn profiles for key leaders/members: ASPE – Luis Mendicuti Sabater (Secretary General): https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismendicuti/; Unipromel – Ignacio Guerrero (President, doctor): mentioned in profiles like https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-luis-ramos-garcia-949b78b4/ (member referencing Guerrero); Antonio Ramos (Seville branch leader): https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-ramos-8b2a88b1/; Javier Somavilla (Ophthalmologist, active member): https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-somavilla-1089235b/. No specific ICO/MEM profiles tied to complaints; general ICO health leads like Isabel Estévez (policy expert): https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-estevez/.
Meta/Facebook: No dedicated victim groups found; general discussions in expat forums like https://www.facebook.com/groups/CanadiansinSpain/ (Sanitas vs. other insurers threads) and OCU consumer page at https://www.facebook.com/consumidoresocu/ (posts on Generali/Sanitas complaints). Sanitas expat agent page: https://www.facebook.com/SanitasForExpats/.
X (Twitter) members: ASPE official: @ASPEsanidad (posts on probes); Unipromel: @Unipromel (complaint updates); ICOMEM-related: @diariomedico (coverage with mentions). No centralized victim handles, but threads like https://x.com/diariomedico/status/1909333030792995060 discuss ASPE/Unipromel actions.
GIVE ME YOUR EXPERT OPINION ON PROPOSALS THAT OUR CHARITY COULD PROPOSE TO THE PARTIES, ON:
1- WHICH COMMITMENT COULD THE DEFENDANT OFFER .
2-WHICH FINE AMOUNT WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR DETERRANCE.
3- WHICH PROJECTS (PROPOSE DIFFERENT PROJECT IDEAS THAT GENERATE POSITIVE SPILLOVERS TO THE TORT VICTIMS] COULD BENEFIT FROM PART OF ANY FINE IMPOSED OR FROM ANY COMPENSATION UNCLAIMED FUNDS.
As COCOO’s legal expert, here are my concise, realistic proposals that your charity could formally submit to CNMC (as interested third party under art. 51 LDC), to Sanitas and Generali (in the context of possible commitments under art. 49 LDC), or to the Spanish courts in future damages actions:
1. Commitments the defendants could offer (to close the case without admission of infringement and without fine, art. 49 Ley 15/2007)
– Immediate 5-year freeze on any joint tariff imposition and obligation to negotiate individually with each provider (hospital, clinic, doctor) with minimum increases of CPI + 3% annually.
– Publication of transparent, non-discriminatory access criteria to the combined medical panel (Sanitas + Generali) and guaranteed inclusion of any provider accepting tariffs ≥ 2021 levels + CPI.
– Creation of an independent Ombudsman (funded 50/50 by both companies) for providers and policyholders, with binding fast-track mediation on tariff or access disputes.
– Obligation to restore pre-2022 tariffs + 15% compensatory uplift to all providers who were de-listed or suffered reductions since the 2022 pact.
– Open access for 10 years to the joint panel for any new entrant insurer at the same economic conditions offered to Sanitas and Generali.
2. Fine amount sufficient for deterrence
In my opinion, only a fine in the range of 7–10% of the combined Spanish turnover of Sanitas and Generali in private health insurance (approximately €2,800–3,200 million in 2024) would be truly deterrent. That translates to €195–320 million total. Anything below 5% (€140 million) would be absorbed as a business cost and would not prevent repetition in this €9 billion market where the four big insurers (Sanitas, Adeslas, Asisa, DKV) control >80%.
3. Projects that could be funded with part of any fine or with unclaimed damages (cy-près mechanism)
– National Compensation Fund for Affected Providers: 50–100 million ring-fenced fund managed by an independent foundation (COCOO could co-manage) to pay direct grants to hospitals, clinics and freelance doctors who prove revenue losses 2022–2027.
– Free or low-cost health insurance vouchers for low-income policyholders who were forced to change provider or pay supplements after network restrictions (target: 100,000 families).
– Digital Platform for Transparent Tariffs: public website (managed by COCOO or OCU) showing real-time reimbursement rates offered by every insurer to every specialty in every province – this would restore pricing transparency destroyed by the pact.
– Training and digitalisation grants for small clinics (≤20 beds) to improve bargaining power and administrative capacity when negotiating with insurers.
– Independent annual audit (2026–2031) of compliance with any commitments, paid by defendants and published by CNMC, with results automatically sent to COCOO and ASPE.
These proposals can be sent immediately to CNMC Dirección de Competencia (competencia@cnmc.es) with copy to the investigative team of file S/0008/25, and simultaneously to the CEOs of Sanitas (joliva@sanitas.es) and Generali España (clientes@generali.es) as a formal settlement proposal from a qualified consumer association.