the government announces 3.5 billion euros in savings on health insurance expenses

The government announced, Wednesday September 27, that it had found 3.5 billion euros in savings on health insurance expenses, during the presentation of its Social Security financing bill (PLFSS) for 2024. In detail, the government is targeting 1.3 billion savings on health products (mainly reductions in the price of medicines), 240 million on healthcare city ​​(in particular analysis labs) and 1.25 billion linked to “accountability” professionals and patients.

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To combat the explosion in expenses linked to sick leave, the government wants, for example, to strengthen the control powers of health insurance and businesses. The medical examiner mandated by the employer may suspend the payment of compensation to patients when he considers the stoppage unjustified, with the possibility of appeal by the insured. The text also limits the duration of stops prescribed by teleconsultation to three days (with exceptions, in particular for the attending physician).

Another measure to save money, patients will now be encouraged to share their medical transport. Patients who refuse, without a valid medical reason, will have to advance their costs, and will only be reimbursed based on the price of shared transportation. Furthermore, thn the event of supply shortages of a medication, single delivery may now be made compulsory by order. Pharmacists will then have to issue “the right amount” rather than a whole box.

On the new spending side, reusable periodic protection, i.e. menstrual panties and cups, will now be reimbursed for women under 26 and all beneficiaries of complementary solidarity health insurance. The text also enshrines in law free condoms for all insured persons under 26 years of age.