Medical excess / FRANCHISE

Medical excess/Franchise : What Is It?

The medical deductible is a fixed amount you must pay for medications, paramedical services, and medical transport covered by Social Security. Since March 31, 2024, following a decree published in the Journal Officiel on February 17, 2024, this deductible has doubled. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Does the Medical excess Exist?
Introduced on January 1, 2008, the medical deductible is a system that leaves part of healthcare costs at your expense. It helps fund the fight against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and supports palliative care.

What Are the 2024 Medical Deductible Amounts?
The amount you pay depends on the type of medical service. The deductible is directly subtracted from your reimbursements and now amounts to:

€1 per box of medication
€1 per paramedical act, provided by nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, orthoptists, and podiatrists
€4 per medical transport, including approved taxis, light medical vehicles (VSL), and ambulances (excluding emergencies)
Good to know: No deductible applies to:

Medications prescribed during hospitalization
Paramedical acts performed during hospitalization
Emergency medical transport
Daily Deductible Limits
The daily cap, which is the maximum amount you may pay in a single day for multiple medical acts, has also changed:

€4 for acts performed by one or more paramedical professionals
€8 for medical transport (a round trip counts as two journeys)
What Is the Annual Cap for the Medical Deductible?
The annual cap remains unchanged:
You will not pay more than €50 per year for all applicable services.

Who Is Exempt from the Increased Deductible?
The medical deductible applies to everyone except:

Children and young people under 18
Beneficiaries of the Complémentaire santé solidaire or State Medical Aid (AME)
Pregnant women covered by maternity insurance
Note: This deductible is not covered by supplementary health insurance.

Has the Flat-Rate Contribution Also Changed in 2024?
Yes. In addition to the medical deductible, the flat-rate contribution—which applies to doctor visits, radiology exams, and lab tests—has also doubled since February 18, 2024:

From €1 to €2 per consultation
From €2 to €4 for lab tests and medical transport
These changes increase the out-of-pocket costs for patients.

What’s the Difference Between the Flat-Rate Contribution and the Medical Deductible?
These are two separate mechanisms:

The flat-rate contribution is a fixed €2 amount charged for each medical consultation, lab test, or radiology exam. It is capped at €8 per day per healthcare provider and €50 per year per patient.

The medical deductible is deducted from reimbursements for certain medications, paramedical acts, and medical transport. It varies from €1 to €4, with an annual cap of €50.

Source: service-public.fr