Since October 1, Social Security has reimbursed less dental care. He announced it last June: part of the reimbursements is now transferred to mutual funds, insurance companies and health plans.
Specifically, it is a drop of 10% on average with a collection of between 55 and 65%, compared to the previous 70%. In other words, the remaining cost after a visit to the dentist increases from 30% to 35-45%.
The risk of abandoning care
Initially, this measure will only affect people without mutual insurance, that is, about 2.5 million French people. “Among them, the modest categories continue to be overrepresented, as well as the self-employed, the unemployed and the inactive,” says UFC-Que Choisir.
“There are so many people for whom this reduction in health insurance coverage will mean a loss of purchasing power or even a renunciation of health care,” continues the consumer association.
For everyone else who takes out complementary health insurance, the latter will cover this increase. But that could change as early as January 2024.
Towards an increase in mutual insurance prices?
“There is no doubt that this burden transfer will lead in the very short term to an increase in contributions for all insured,” laments UFC-Que Choisir.
As soon as next year’s rates are presented, mutual insurance companies could affect this reduction in reimbursement by Social Security in their prices since this means additional expenses for them. Already at the beginning of 2023, complementary prices had increased by 4.7% compared to the previous year.
“If your contribution to supplementary health insurance is excessive, you can see if there are unnecessary guarantees to reduce the contributions,” advises Maria Roubtsova, head of health projects at UFC-Que Choisir, on BFMTV.
More prevention
This reduction in coverage by Social Security represents nearly 500 million euros in savings for Health Insurance. However, the latter ensures that the amount saved will be used for “prevention”.
The State aims to guarantee a “cavity-free generation” to avoid lifelong expenses, in particular the long-term recourse to prosthetic procedures (in particular crowns) and implants, which are very expensive.
“People between 3 and 24 years old will now benefit from greater preventive care, earlier care to preserve teeth and regular preventive follow-up,” explains UFC-Que Choisir. Additionally, this new pricing agreement provides for an annual oral exam for these young patients (compared to an exam every 3 years currently).
The agreement also provides for an increase in the price of certain treatments so that they are more attractive to dentists and, therefore, are performed in greater numbers. These are especially simple exams that increase from 30 to 40 euros.
Source: BFM TV
