This Saturday, February 17, 2024, a decree on the doubling of the medical franchise was published in the Official Journal. This concerns the increase in the price of medicines with the entry into force, from March 31, 2024, of a medical franchise of 1 euro per box of medicine, compared to 50 cents previously.
A new increase which has repercussions on the purchasing power of consumers. While many French people are seeing the cost of living increase after several months marked in particular by significant inflation, a new increase is on the horizon. This concerns access to care and medication in particular. From March 31, 2024, the amount spent to obtain a box of medication will increase.
The reason ? A new law promulgated which consists of doubling the price of the medical deductible on boxes of medicine to increase the participation of policyholders in health costs. A measure that came into force with the publication, this Saturday, February 17, 2024, of a new decree Official newspaper. Until now, policyholders had to pay the sum of 50 cents for the medical deductible applied to each box of medicine. From March 31, 2024, the amount of this medical deductible must double, pushing policyholders to waive an amount of 1 euro, not reimbursed, to obtain their medication.
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Medical deductibles double
After the increase in the cost of energy which came into force in February 2024, this is a new blow for the wallets of French consumers, particularly for households with the lowest incomes who are seeing their purchasing power significantly reduced. . For the government, the doubling of the medical deductible aims above all to cushion the high expenses for health. Last January when presenting the decree, the government explained that it was imagining this solution in response to the increase in health insurance expenses, an increase of the order of “almost 20% between 2018 and 2022”.
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“This increase reflects the voluntarism of our investments in the modernization of the health system and the necessary support for health professionals, but also underlying trends with the aging of the population and the increase in chronic diseases”, explained Bercy through a press release. The doubling of the medical franchise does not only concern the purchase of medicines in pharmacies since the franchise on medical transport is also subject to an increase, going from 2€ to 4 euros now.
For the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the increase in medical deductibles is considered essential in order to support the French healthcare system as well as healthcare professionals. Through this measure, Bercy hopes in particular to deal with the deterioration of Social Security funds.
A journalist passionate about social issues and current affairs, Hugo puts his pen at the service of information. Interested in all themes, from the impact of artificial intelligence on…