8 in 2010 which will save EUR 300 million

Drugs, health, insured professionals, hospitals: here are the main steps of savings at this stage by the Government in 2011. They represent a total more than 2.5 billion euros. If they are implemented fully, they will help to limit the progression of the expenses of health insurance to 2.9 next year.

Drugs: price declines and retreat of the refund

Measures to save on the medicines and medical devices will represent a total about EUR 800 million. Like last year, the price declines will reach 500 million. No list is determined, the price declines in piecemeal throughout the year. The special contribution of the pharmaceutical companies will be raised (they shall reconvey the turnover as soon as it progresses from more than 0.5), which will generate EUR 50 million. And the Government table on a progression of reimbursed drugs sales limited to 2 in 2011, a little less strong than expected (75 million).

Another measure must report EUR 165 million, and it is by far the most sensitive, because it relates to the insured. All drugs supported 35 social security today should see their reimbursement rates move to 30. If this decision was confirmed at the end of the month, it would be a small revolution. This rate applies to drugs with the medical service is considered moderate by the high authority of health. Wearing a blue sticker, they are primarily intended for the treatment of conditions without gravity. They represent more than the quarter volumes prescribed by doctors but less than 8 of the refunds. The stars of the pharmacy such as aspirin or the Doliprane cabinets are not affected, as they are reimbursed at 65.

Co-payments record of half a percentage point

For all medical acts (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.), co-payments, i.e. the part that remains the responsibility of the insured or its mutual, is expected to increase by 0.5 point. In other words, for a consultation of doctor in the city, supported by the social security would increase from 70 to 69.5. Economy expected: EUR 200 million.

Hospital: patients developed contribution

Hospital also, the part remaining the responsibility of the insured or their complementary health should increase. Today, a co-payment of 20 is paid by the patient on the acts up to 91 euros in costs. Beyond this threshold, the patient performs a package of 18 euros. This threshold, which has not changed since 1992, should be relieved from 91 to 120 euros. Still in the hospital, some rates charged to health insurance will be reviewed downwards to reduce the differences between the public sector and the private sector. Health facilities will also have to manage their requirements for expensive drugs.

Three measures for chronic diseases

Patients paid 100 by social security in respect of the diseases of long duration (ALD) system will be affected by three measures, which will result in total as of 75 million. This is not to question the system of the ALD, very popular, but correct some abuse or review the margin his perimeter indeed. First, transportation costs will be more systematically reimbursed at 100 as often is the case currently. There are benchmarks tailored to each pathology. Second source of savings, patients with mild hypertension will no longer be supported 100 ("Les Echos" from July 30). This measure will only concern new patients. Hypertensive patients who are already benefiting from the scheme of the ALD will be supported at 100. A third measure regarding diabetic patients: reimbursement of self-testing of blood glucose strips will be limited to one per day, per patient. Beyond, it is the insured who will pay, or its mutual where appropriate.

Declining rates for radiologists and biologists

For the third year in a row, rates of medical tests will be revised downward, which will produce 100 million. "The cost of acts is, in France, from 2 to 10 times greater than the Belgium and the Germany," pointing the Medicare in July. An encryption challenged by biologists. Radiologists will also see their prices back to 100 million.

Retirement homes: slow down the increase in spending

Expenditures of Medicare in the institutions for elderly or disabled persons will have to grow to a maximum of 3.8 next year. It is less than in previous years (5.8 in 2010), which will save EUR 300 million. The Government argument: every year, the retirement homes and institutions for the disabled do not consume all of the envelopes that are allocated to them, which obliged to cancel budget lines during the year. The representatives of the health sector regularly protest against these gels of credit.

Doctors will have to limit the requirements

City doctors will have to pursue the master of the prescriptions of drugs or paramedical acts (physios, nursing). The Government is particularly on the development of the contracts signed between general practitioners and the CNAM, which allow the allocation of premiums where some goals are met (for example to limit the prescription drugs against the most expensive cholesterol). These control measures are supposed to save 550 million euros.