Third-party payment becomes a right for all French people covered 100% by Social Security, according to the press release from the Ministry of Health published on December 29, 2016. And, it will become an effective right for all French people on November 30, 2017.
The French were not equal in terms of health. Indeed, every year, a quarter of them chose not to seek treatment or make an appointment with a health professional, for lack of being able to advance the cost of the consultation.
Third-party payment: what changes on January 1, 2017
Today, third-party payment is effective automatically for patients benefiting from Complementary Universal Health Coverage (CMU-C) or Complementary Health Assistance (ACS), as well as patients who have suffered an accident at work or an occupational disease.
As of January 1, 2017, under the health law, third-party payment becomes a right for all people covered 100% by health insurance (patients suffering from a long-term illness (ALD ) and the pregnant women).
More than 10 million French people affected by chronic diseases
Long-term affection: the bill is salty despite the 100% reimbursement of social security
In addition, the system put in place makes it possible to offer third-party payment to all patients on the part reimbursed by Social Security.
“From January 1, 2017, third-party payment will be a right for those who need it most. This measure, which I strongly defended, represents major social progress. It is a concrete solution brought to all those who refuse to consult for financial reasons. This is the guarantee of greater equality in access to primary care. This is the promise of a population that is better protected, better cared for and better supported against the vagaries of life,” declared Marisol Touraine, Minister of Social Affairs and Health.
Read also:
Infographic: what the Health Law will change
Generalized third-party payer: 2 out of 3 French people are in favor of it
Generalized third-party payment: doctors are against it
