Since March 1, thrombo-aspiration catheters, state-of-the-art equipment in the treatment of strokes, are no longer covered by Social Security.
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“We are in the most total incomprehension”, underlines Monday March 6 on franceinfo Julien Gottsmann, the general manager of the Rothschild Foundation hospital in Paris. Since March 1, thrombo-aspiration catheters, state-of-the-art equipment for the treatment of strokes – cerebrovascular accidents – are no longer covered by Social Security. The French Society of Neuroradiology and the Neuromuscular Society wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health asking for an explanation.
Faced with strokes, these catheters have become “the reference indication in treatment”, emphasizes Julien Gottsmann. This state-of-the-art equipment, which “are placed at the level of the groin and go into the brain to remove the clot”, allow “to save lives”says the director general of the Rothschild Foundation hospital.
“CVA affects just over 150,000 people a year in France, it is the leading cause of disability in adults.”
Julien Gottsmannat franceinfo
“450,000 euros” less per year
The average price of these single-use catheters is approximately “1,500 euros each. This still represents today 15% of the price that we are reimbursed by Social Security to take on a patient”explains Julien Gottsmann. “So it’s a 15% total decrease.” At the Fondation Rothschild hospital in Paris, the general manager believes “at 450,000 euros the deadweight loss over the year” with the end of the refund. “It is enormous”he breathes, “especially at this time when we are suffering, like everyone else, from inflation”.
“We use this technology on a recurring basis”emphasizes Julien Gottsmann. “It is so effective that the government has decided to deploy more of them throughout the territory as close as possible to patients. But today, we are very surprised to note that the government has decided to withdraw reimbursement for these catheters”he concludes.
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