Since the beginning of 2026, several regulatory texts have modified the conditions for accessing care, the control of sick leave, and the reimbursement rules in France. These changes, often technical, have direct consequences on the patient journey and the organization of healthcare professionals.
Sick Leave and Medical Deductibles: The 2026 Adjustments for Patients
The strengthening of controls on sick leave has caused tensions within the medical community. According to Le Monde, some doctors are concerned for their patients in light of a tightening of prescription conditions. The stated goal is budgetary: to limit the volume of daily allowances paid by Health Insurance.
On the side of medical deductibles, an increase has been confirmed, although at a rate lower than initially planned. This deductible, applied to each box of medication or paramedical act, increases the out-of-pocket expenses for insured individuals, particularly for those suffering from chronic illnesses requiring regular treatments.
The combination of these two measures reflects a gradual shift in the financing of care towards patients and their supplementary insurance. For those who wish to follow these regulatory developments and adapt their coverage, it is possible to learn more on the Médic Activ website, which lists resources dedicated to daily health.
Reimbursements 2027: Four Decrees Preparing a Shift Towards Supplementary Health Insurance
Four decrees published in the Official Journal on August 22, 2026, redefine the regulatory limits of the co-payment on three areas: dental care, medical devices, and medical transport. These decrees organize new transfers of costs to supplementary health insurance starting in 2027.
The final reimbursement rates have not yet been set. This area of uncertainty complicates projections for mutuals as well as insurers, and the available data does not allow for conclusions about the exact extent of the additional costs for patients.
Dental Care and Medical Devices Prioritized
Despite the 100% health system, dental care still carries a significant out-of-pocket expense. The modification of the co-payment limits could exacerbate this imbalance on certain acts outside the basket, by reducing the portion covered by the mandatory scheme before the intervention of the supplementary insurance.
Medical devices (prosthetics, chairs, hearing aids) follow the same logic. As for medical transport, field feedback varies: some professionals in the sector anticipate an increase in refusals of coverage, while others believe that the impact will be limited to unplanned trips.
Prescriptions by Advanced Practice Nurses: A Clarified Scope
The decree of August 7, 2026, defined the conditions under which advanced practice nurses (APNs) can prescribe certain medications. Among the targeted cases is the prescription of antibiotics after a positive rapid diagnostic test (RDT). The goal is to relieve general practice offices, especially in areas where doctors are scarce.
APNs must undergo specific training to access this prescribing right. The framework remains strict: it is a targeted delegation for common pathologies whose diagnosis relies on an objective biological result, not a substitution for the doctor.
- Prescription of antibiotics after a positive RDT (strep throat, simple urinary infection as defined)
- Mandatory additional training for the concerned APNs
- Medical supervision maintained for complex cases or patients with multiple pathologies
This measure reflects a redistribution of competencies among healthcare professionals, driven by the shortage of doctors in certain areas.
Medical Code of Ethics: A Revision Catching Up with Digital Practices
Decree No. 2026-691 of July 27, 2026, published in the Official Journal on July 29, updates the medical code of ethics. This revision incorporates developments related to telemedicine and digital tools, which have become widespread since the health crisis while the ethical framework had not yet been adapted.
The text specifies the obligations to inform patients during remote consultations, the rules for managing digital health data, and the conditions for professional communication online. It also clarifies the responsibilities of the doctor using decision-support tools based on artificial intelligence.
Prevention of Cardiovascular-Neurovascular Diseases: Towards Earlier Screening
Recent provisions aim to strengthen the prevention of cardiovascular-neurovascular diseases by directing the screening of risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) towards occupational medicine and school medicine.
- Integration of cardiovascular assessments into occupational health visits for employees from a certain age
- Targeted awareness campaigns for young populations exposed to tobacco and sedentarism
- Enhanced coordination between primary care physicians, cardiologists, and pharmacists for the follow-up of at-risk patients
The goal is to shift the focus towards early detection rather than late management, as delays in diagnosis significantly worsen the consequences.
These reforms change the daily lives of patients well beyond just therapeutic advancements. Increased deductibles, transfer of costs to mutuals, expansion of APN competencies, updating of the ethical framework: the French healthcare system is redistributing roles and costs. Keeping up with these regulatory developments has become as essential as staying informed about the latest available treatments.
