The social security deficit has slipped this year, to 18 billion euros compared to 10.5 billion expected. Result: the government is seeking to save 4.9 billion euros in health insurance expenses. Among the avenues included in the social security financing bill (PLFSS) presented this Thursday is the increase in user fees. This corresponds to the part of a medical consultation that remains to be paid once the Social Security reimbursement has been deducted. It is most often covered by mutual insurance companies. In order to achieve 1.1 billion euros in savings, the government wants to increase this remaining charge, which would increase from 30% to 40% of the price of general medicine and midwifery consultations.
1 billion euros
The measure makes mutuals cringe. “The price of a consultation with a general practitioner will increase to 30 euros in December. If we cover 40%, this corresponds to 12 euros compared to 7.50 euros currently, almost double. notes the National Federation of French Mutuality. This billion euros transferred to mutual societies will, in fact, be reflected in contributions. An increase of around 2% to 2.5%, said the head of the federation. For the moment, it is difficult to know whether this will be integrated into the prices of mutual insurance companies from 2025, the latter already having to increase their prices by 6% to 10%.
18 billion euros: the colossal Social Security deficit for 2024
To this co-payment will also be added the reduction in the ceiling of daily allowances paid by Social Security in the event of sick leave, which goes from 1.8 to 1.4 minimum wage. Here again, part will be covered by mutual insurance companies. The Minister of Health called for “collective responsibility”she assures that she will begin discussions with complementary health insurance companies so that they do not pass on all of these increases to contributions. For the 4% of French people – or 2.5 million people – who do not benefit from mutual insurance, on the other hand, the bill will be steep.
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