The “flat rate contribution” for consultations and medical procedures will increase from 1 to 2 euros from Sunday.
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A slightly higher out-of-pocket cost for the patient. The decree on the doubling of the medical franchise, from 50 cents to 1 euro on each box of medicines, was published on Saturday February 17 in the Official Journal for entry into force on March 31. The excess on medical transport is doubled, going from 2 to 4 euros from the same date.
The “flat rate contribution” on consultations and medical procedures – with the exception of those carried out during hospitalization –, as well as on medical biology examinations and analyses, will increase from 1 to 2 euros. This measure comes into force on Sunday, according to another decree published on Saturday in the Official Journal.
Faced with the deterioration of Social Security accounts, the government announced in January its intention to make social security policyholders pay a little more for their healthcare consumption, by increasing the unreimbursed portion. So that people with the greatest need for care are not penalized, the government is maintaining each of the two annual ceilings at 50 euros (one for deductibles, the other for fixed contributions).
Some 800 million euros in savings planned
Deductibles and lump sum reimbursements are not applicable to minors, women who benefit from maternity insurance and beneficiaries of complementary solidarity health insurance, who have particularly modest incomes. According to government estimates communicated in the fall, during debates on the 2024 Health budget, the measure aims to generate 800 million euros in savings in Social Security coffers.
Patient associations have strongly criticized these increases, fearing in particular their effect on the most precarious. “Charging more for medicines makes those who need them feel guilty”estimated in January on franceinfo Gérard Raymond, president of France Assos Santé.