Will drug deductibles double (again)? The government's very serious lead

According to information from Les Echos, the government will double the ceiling as well as the amount of deductibles for medicines and medical procedures.

Going to the pharmacy or the doctor could soon cost you more. The government, which is expected to save no less than €5.5 billion in the healthcare sector next year, is planning several measures that will directly impact the French people's wallets.

Among them is the increase in medical deductibles. Ministers Catherine Vautrin and Yannick Neuder recently raised this possibility. According to information from Les Echos , the government will submit "draft decrees concerning medical deductibles."

The government had already announced in July that the ceilings for medical deductibles and flat-rate contributions—the remaining costs for medications and medical procedures—would be doubled. They will each increase from €50 per patient per year to €100. This amount is therefore not reimbursed by Social Security, and it is quite rare for it to be covered by supplementary health insurance.

This decision has already been criticized by patient associations in particular, since the sickest people will be the most affected. People suffering from a long-term illness (ALD) are not exempt from this remaining charge; only minors, pregnant women, and beneficiaries of complementary health insurance or state medical assistance do not have to pay it.

But according to Les Echos , it's not just these ceilings that will increase, but also the amount paid for each purchase of a box of medication or medical appointment. Currently, you have to spend 1 euro per box of medication, or 2 euros for a consultation with a general practitioner. These amounts are expected to double, rising to 2 euros for medication and 4 euros for a visit to the doctor. Deductibles on medication and paramedical procedures (such as nursing care) had already doubled last year, and flat-rate contributions for medical procedures doubled in May 2024.

These amounts will be payable directly at the time of payment, Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Labor and Health, announced in July. These measures could come into effect in the coming months. There's no need to wait for the next Social Security Budget: a decree is all that's needed.