The rest that patients must pay – after reimbursement of health insurance and complementary benefits – is “very underestimated”, around 2,000 euros per year per person, according to a study published on Wednesday by France Assos Santé, which warns of a “worsening” that will occur in 2025. .
An “invisible” part not taken into account
On the one hand, there are “official” health costs, evaluated by public authorities using an indicator that includes “everything that is partially reimbursed by Health Insurance”: hospital care, medical consultations, medical transportation, medications, etc. According to this indicator, patients’ annual out-of-pocket expenses amount to an average of 274 euros.
But for the federation of associations France Assos Santé, most of the remaining costs are “invisible” because they are not recognized in these official statistics. According to a survey carried out between September and October among 3,100 people (11.4% responded for a loved one), this “hidden cost” reaches 1,557 euros per year per person, and even 1,623 euros for patients with long-term illnesses. (ALD).
The mentioned costs include unreimbursed medical equipment (needles, bandages, wheelchairs, medical beds, etc.), so-called “comfort” costs (creams, unreimbursed hair prostheses, etc.), adaptation of the living environment . certain transportation costs, food costs (dietary products, food supplements, etc.), linked to sport and health (adapted physical activity, etc.) or the necessary human, administrative and legal support for patients.
An overwhelmed “global whiteboard”
France Assos Santé also includes, for an average of 310 euros per year, the so-called “complementary” care from non-reimbursed professionals, such as psychologists, dieticians, psychomotor therapists, but also osteopaths, acupuncturists or sophrologists.
More than half of respondents (53.2%) indicated that, during the past 12 months, they had given up unreimbursed care or products for financial reasons.
“Everything suggests, in view of the latest measures announced by the Government” within the framework of the Social Security budget for 2025, “that official out-of-pocket payments and contributions to complementary health insurance will increase”, which will mean an even greater burden for “the global economy.” slate,” laments France Assos Santé.
In particular, the government plans to reduce the level of health insurance reimbursement for medical consultations and medications, or even the maximum compensation limit for sick leave.
France Assos Santé specifies that certain categories of the population are overrepresented in its survey, such as women, executives, retirees or those suffering from chronic pain.
Source: BFM TV
