Emmanuel Macron said it Thursday evening: the state will do everything to limit the consequences of the Coronavirus on daily life and the economy of the country, "whatever the cost". Public finances will therefore be largely used. But because of the health costs of the pandemic, the French are likely to be out of pocket too.
On Saturday evening, the authorities announced 4,499 cases of infected people and 91 deaths, and stage 3 of the epidemic was activated after the number of cases doubled in 72 hours. If, as President Macron said, "health is priceless", it will come at a cost. For the Health Insurance which will be heavily contributed, and for the complementary health which will also be, they who have already increased their rates this year by 2.5% on average.
Screening tests reimbursed at 40% by the complementary
"The pandemic will, without a doubt, lead to an increase in health insurance premiums," predicts Olivier Moustacakis, founder of Assurland, leader in online insurance comparators. And all the more, says the Director General, that "mutuals, insurers and provident institutions are already under pressure with the increase in coverage linked to the 100% health reform". The impact of this reform spread over three years has been estimated at 250 million euros per year at cruising speed. "The coronavirus bill for the complementary will be much higher than for the 100% health", without being able to advance figures at this stage.
Why soaring costs? "The increase in the number of medical consultations and teleconsultations whose access conditions have been relaxed, prescriptions for drugs and home support with medical surveillance of infected patients, hospitalizations, not counting the general vaccination of the population once a vaccine is found, all of this will inevitably increase spending. For example, screening tests carried out in town at 54 euros are reimbursed 60% by Health Insurance and 40% by complementary health insurance. However, a thousand tests are already carried out every day in France.
In addition to these expenses are those related to work stoppages which are sure to explode from Monday, since the authorities have decided to close schools and colleges, and that many parents will have no choice but to to stop to care for their offspring. “Part of the daily allowances is often paid by the complementary health insurance, says Olivier Moustacakis.
Depending on the contracts, it can also be covered by the provident contracts, which will therefore also be impacted ”. Without forgetting the abolition by derogation of the three days of deficiency decided by the government last January 31 and reinforced by decree last March 4.
"Today is the time for solidarity"
Questioned, the Health insurance indicates not being able to say if the Coronavirus has already influenced its expenses and even less to assess this additional cost. For its part, the National Federation of French Mutual Insurance Funds which has set up a crisis unit, judges that it is too early to address this subject.
"Our priority is to play our full role by participating in the fight against the epidemic and, in our establishments and care services, by protecting the most vulnerable and their families," insists the president of the Mutuality, Thierry Beaudet. Before adding: "Today is the time for solidarity, the time will come then, once the crisis is behind us, to assess its consequences"
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In the meantime, the more time passes, the closer the prospect of an increase in contributions. However, the pandemic is only at its beginning, hammer the authorities. “Complementary health providers are required to balance their accounts, if their expenses increase they will not be able to last long without impacting the insured. And this is normal, "concludes the manager of Assurland, according to which the first increases could appear with the invoices addressed to the return to school in September.