France increases annual medical franchise cap to 140 euros

The annual cap on medical franchises, which represents the out-of-pocket costs borne by insured individuals, will officially increase from 100 to 140 euros on October 1. This new limit is divided into 70 euros for medical consultations and 70 euros for medications, paramedical acts, and sanitary transport.

Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated that the adjustment accounts for inflation since the caps were established twenty years ago. The government noted that approximately 18 million people, including minors, pregnant women, and beneficiaries of the solidarity health supplement, will remain unaffected by this change.

Starting in 2028, the caps will be re-evaluated annually based on inflation. While the government views this as a necessary step to preserve the social security model and address deficits, the Unsa union has criticized the move, describing the annual re-evaluation as a mechanism that automatically and permanently increases patient costs.