Expenditures related to medical transport have almost doubled in ten years, going from 2.3 to 4 billion euros between 2003 and 2013. This is partly explained by the consolidation of services forcing patients to go to hospitals. further away from home, to the development of outpatient medicine … but also to some abuses for which Medicare is paying the price.
“Generalizing sanitary carpooling would allow savings of 600 million per year,” said Thierry Schifano, president of the FNTS (National Federation of sanitary transporters). This may concern seated transport, VSL (light medical vehicle) or approved taxi. Used in particular for the repetitive routes of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hemodialysis, functional rehabilitation and day hospitalization in psychiatry. “
The cost reduction is 25% for two people on board and 40% for three. It would mainly benefit the Health Insurance, users being reimbursed at 65% by Social Security (plus the supplement from the mutual). With 100% coverage in the event of long-term illnesses such as cancer, or for women from the 6th month of pregnancy.
Still poorly known
According to a recent national Ipsos Healthcare study, only one in two people have heard of shared medical transport, but 69% are in favor. Economical, since the costs are shared, user-friendly, ecological: the patients questioned see many advantages … provided they are warned in advance! The “wild” groupings practiced by certain establishments are not always appreciated.
A pilot experience
To develop carpooling, the FNTS has been testing it for three years in several departments (Alpes-Maritimes, Aude, Bouches-du-Rhône Pas-de-Calais, Ile-de-France …) in collaboration with around thirty establishments , transport companies and primary funds. “The hospital or the carrier contacts the patient to suggest it, if he agrees and if his condition is suitable. The routes are optimized according to the places of residence and the meeting times, to avoid detours and waiting. The reactions are very positive, it is an opportunity for users to talk about something other than the disease and to encourage each other, ”notes Thierry Schifano. This experience should soon be extended nationwide and the launch of a smartphone app is planned.
RoseCar: shared journeys in the event of breast cancer
Conventional taxis that cannot be found, hospital parking lots saturated, caregivers overwhelmed … Getting to the hospital 45 days in a row for radiotherapy sessions is not always easy. The Rose association has therefore launched, in partnership with Orange, a free platform that allows women treated for a breast cancer living in the same neighborhood to share their journeys.
On Monday, one’s husband does the taxi, on Tuesday another’s one … A solution that also allows people to bond and support each other! Many hospitals have already reserved parking spaces for RoseCar users. And this carpooling service could soon be extended to people with other illnesses.
To “walk a long way together”, go to the site www.covpooling-rosecar.fr.
