France to increase medical franchises and reduce healthcare reimbursements

The French government has announced several measures to reduce the deficit of the National Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie), which is projected to reach 13.8 billion euros in 2026 and 15 billion euros in 2027.

Starting October 1, 2026, the annual ceiling for medical franchises will increase by 40%, rising from 100 euros to 140 euros. This new limit is split equally, with 70 euros allocated to consultations and 70 euros for medications, paramedical acts, and sanitary transport. The government intends to index these ceilings annually to inflation moving forward.

Additionally, new decrees published in the Official Journal will reduce reimbursement rates for certain healthcare services. Effective January 2027, reimbursement for common dental care is set to drop from 60% to 50%. Other reductions target medications with moderate or low medical service value, as well as certain medical devices and sanitary transport.

These changes are expected to shift a significant financial burden—estimated at approximately 1.5 billion euros—toward complementary health insurance providers. While patients with comprehensive supplemental coverage may see little immediate out-of-pocket change, providers warn that these costs could eventually lead to increased insurance premiums.