From decree to decree, Covid-19 is gradually surfacing from the daily life of French people. An order published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday 28 February sets out a new framework for governing Covid screening tests, almost a month after announcing the abandonment of several iconic “test-trace isolation” devices. -19. Beginning March 1, they will no longer be 100% reimbursed by Medicare.
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Even without a medical prescription, only the “most vulnerable” continue to benefit from comprehensive coverage: people 65 and over, people under 18, patients with long-term diseases (ALD) and pregnant women, who can benefit from exemptions medical expenses for maternity insurance). In addition, professionals in the medical and medical social sectors, as well as those who are screened collectively by regional health agencies or county organizations, are logically covered 100%.
For the rest of the population aged 18 to 65, the common law rule will now apply and reintroduce all antigen testing or PCR copays, the portion of medical costs that are still borne by the patient once Medicare reimburses its share. Specifically, the insured is expected to pay 30% of the cost of the examination if performed by a physician or pharmacist, and 40% of the cost of the examination if performed by a nurse or chiropractor-cum-physiotherapist. In pharmacies, an antigen test costs 16.50 euros, while a PCR test in a laboratory costs around 30 euros.
But, “for the vast majority of policyholders with additional coverage, the remainder will be zero. The same will be true for beneficiaries of supplementary health insurance,” the health directorate said in a press release issued Tuesday. According to 2019 figures from the Department of Research, Research, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees), almost 3 million people, or 5% of the population, are not covered by supplementary health insurance despite the generalization of corporate contracts.
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Additional Barriers to Screening
In addition, the distinction between vaccinated and non-vaccinated people is no longer mentioned in the text, before which they had to present a certain number of conditions to take the test for free, such as a medical prescription. According to Philippe Besset, president of the French Federation of Pharmaceutical Trade Unions: “This will simplify things where we don’t ask for vaccination status.” For the rest, in pharmacies, we are used to managing third-party payments. ยป
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