Until then fully supported by Health Insurance without advance payment, so-called “comfort” tests to detect Covid-19 will no longer be reimbursed by Social Security from October 15. What will the prices of PCR and antigen tests be and who will still be able to get reimbursed? We take stock.
What will the prices for PCR and antigen tests be?
Until now, only people temporarily staying in France and falling under a foreign social security system had to pay their loved one to perform a Covid-19 screening test (except for those who have a prescription medical and those declared as case-contact). From October 15, they will no longer be the only ones to have to pay for a PCR or antigen test.
According to government information revealed by franceinfo this Thursday, October 7, the PCR tests will have to cost a little more than 43 euros. As for the antigenic tests, they will cost 22 euros if they are carried out in a laboratory and 25 euros if they are carried out in a pharmacy. A price that can reach 30 euros if they are done on weekends. Finally, the self-tests at 5.20 euros will also no longer be free when they are carried out in front of the pharmacist.
For whom will the screening tests remain free?
As for the conditions for free Covid-19 screening tests, here is what to remember. The tests will remain free for all people already vaccinated (with a complete vaccination schedule) and without medical prescription. PCR and antigen tests will also always be free for all contact cases reported by health insurance as well as for minors.
As for unvaccinated people with symptoms, they will be able to get a free test if they have a prescription within 48 hours. Same pattern for people who need to undergo a screening test to have an operation. In addition, patients with a contraindication to the vaccine will be able to continue to benefit from a free screening test provided they present their certificate. Finally, people who have to confirm the diagnosis of an antigen test by a PCR test will be able to benefit from the free use of the latter if they present the result of the antigen test within two days of its completion.
