After two days of intense negotiations, the doctors’ unions and Health Insurance left Friday evening on a new version of the medical agreement. This text, discussed for six months, must govern the rates and conditions of practice of private doctors for the next five years. The unions have fifteen days to consult their base and decide whether to sign or not. “ I am convinced that this agreement can be a powerful lever to improve the functioning of our health system and strengthen the attractiveness of private medicine,” declared Thomas Fatôme, Director General of Health Insurance. “This is an important issue for access to care which justifies the investment we are making” he added, estimating the new measures provided for in this text at 1.6 billion euros over five years.
Thus, the price of general practitioner consultations must increase from 26.5 to 30 euros by the end of 2024, in return for various commitments. A “long consultation” with the attending physician could be charged at 60 euros for certain patients over 80, once a year. The one-off specialist consultant opinion (APC) – when the attending physician requests the expertise of a colleague – would be increased by up to 60 euros. The agreement must also revalue the “attending doctor package” and assistance for hiring medical assistants would be increased from July. It is now up to the unions to position themselves.