After a first movement in September, the total closure to the public of the Dijon analysis laboratories planned for Monday December 23 to Friday December 31 will ultimately not take place, thanks to a national agreement with the National Health Insurance Fund, concluded this Friday. However, significant disruptions are expected during the holiday period. We take stock with Dr Christophe Fournat, regional delegate of the National Union of Medical Biologists.
Why did you envisage this closure of the laboratories to the public from December 23 to 31?
“The decision came from the inter-union which brings together most of the groups of biologists and which had decided to close the laboratories at the end of the year. In Dijon, 100% of the laboratories (belonging to three groups Biomed, Biogroup and Cerballiance, Editor's note) had planned to close. Other complete or partial closures were announced elsewhere in Côte-d'Or. However, we would have continued to work for clinics and other nursing home type structures.
For what ? Because the budget allocated to us to carry out the biology exams over the year has been exhausted. When the budget is exceeded, we are charged the excess for the following year. It's a perverse system that we denounce, I don't know anyone who works for nothing. Especially since we are not prescribers of the analyzes that we carry out, we only apply medical prescriptions. The doctors themselves are governed by recommendations from the High Health Authority in this area. »
Who decides on this envelope?
“We have a budget determined by health insurance and the unions, defined for three years. When there is an excess, there is a readjustment for the following year. However, last year's agreement with health insurance was based on inaccurate figures, hence the point of contention with the National Health Insurance Fund which refused to renegotiate. Our prices were already reduced by 9% in September and, since then, we have not obtained any return to the discussion table. Worse, the 2025 social security financing plan provided that in the event of disagreement, the CNAM could decide unilaterally for us…”
What did you finally get in Paris on Friday?
“An agreement was signed between the CNAM and the four biologists’ unions which provides, among other things, for no reduction in prices for two years. This allows us to envisage a somewhat more serene future. In return, we have lifted our strike notice and closure to the public. »
So you welcomed the public this Saturday…
“Absolutely, yes. But it is very difficult for laboratories to remobilize staff in such a short period of time. Some were able to do this in part, others not. The opening offer will still be reduced until December 31. You should expect long queues on Monday or Tuesday, in particular. We will prioritize the prescriptions of the day. Anything not urgent will need to be handled after January 2nd. »
