At the start of the year, new measures were introduced. TipsForWomens reveals to you what will change in terms of health in 2024.
Last week, TipsForWomens shared with you what changes in 2024 for the French regarding their budget. This week, we summarize the changes that will take place in 2024 in terms of health. Implemented since January 1, 2024, it is important that you read them. So here’s a summary of what you need to know.
New products in pharmacy
On the pharmacy side, two new measures have been introduced. The first is the ability of pharmacists to dispense medications and antibiotics for tonsillitis and cystitis. This measure aims to overcome the difficulty the French have in finding a doctor. In fact, currently 6 million French people do not have a GP. To give the drugs, pharmacists will have to carry out a test on patients to ensure that there is indeed a bacterial origin.
Concerning the second measure, in the event of a shortage of medicines, pharmacists will have to deliver them individually. The aim of this new feature is to better manage the situation in the event of low stocks.
Several health-related increases
From January 1, several increases are expected. The first concerns the price of a packet of cigarettes which will increase between 50 cents and 1 euro depending on the brand. As tobacco is responsible for 75,000 deaths in Europe each year, the objective of this measure is to encourage people to limit their consumption.
On the mutual side, their prices will increase by 8% on average.
For those under 26, female condoms will be free; and panties and menstrual cups will now be reimbursed by Social Security.
The savings of Social Security
Faced with certain expenses that have increased sharply in recent years, Social Security plans to make some savings.
First of all, it intends to limit work stoppages. In fact, during teleconsultations, doctors will no longer be able to issue sick leave of more than 3 days. However, this measure does not apply if it is the patient’s treating physician or if the latter is unable to obtain a physical appointment to renew his or her suspension. He will still have to be able to justify this.
Another saving envisaged for Social Security? Medical transport of patients. From now on, patients will be forced to share the ambulance with other patients, if their state of health allows it. If they refuse, they will be charged and will only be reimbursed based on shared transportation.
End of waiting day for sick leave after miscarriage
From January 1, 2024, women who have suffered a miscarriage will be able to take sick leave without a waiting day. A measure resulting from the law of July 7, 2023 which aims to “promote support for couples faced with a spontaneous termination of pregnancy known as miscarriage”.
Details expected in the coming weeks
To have more details on certain measures, we will have to wait for the release of the implementing decrees in the coming weeks. This is the case for free prevention appointments at 25, 45 and 65 years old. These were promised by François Braun, the former Minister of Health, and their implementation was to begin last fall. However, no information has been communicated for several weeks.
Likewise, the medical franchise was to double from €50 to €100 per French person at the start of the year. Since last fall, there has been no news regarding this change either.
Sanctions for online procedures not accessible to all
The last important change in health in 2024 is the obligation of total accessibility on the part of public services regarding their online procedures. This measure aims above all to facilitate the most common procedures for people with disabilities, by the end of 2025.
Although their full accessibility has actually been mandatory since 2005, breaches were not actually penalized. Indeed, according to government statistics, only 6 online procedures out of the 248 most common were 100% accessible in July 2023. 125 procedures were partially accessible and 78 usual procedures were not accessible to people with disabilities, at the same period. .
Thus, since January 1, administration websites which do not respect this incur a fine of 50,000 euros. If a sanctioned breach persists more than six months after the imposition of the initial sanction, a new sanction may also be imposed.
What is a 100% accessible approach? According to the government, it must respect all of the 106 criteria of its “general framework for improving accessibility” (RGAA).