A new schedule of compulsory medical examinations comes into force in 2025.
From birth until the age of 16, a child must pass 20 compulsory medical examinations in order to ensure their good health and to direct their family towards appropriate care if necessary. These examinations are carried out either by the child’s treating doctor, or by a doctor chosen by you as the child’s parent or person having custody of the child. They are fully reimbursed at 100% regardless of the professional who carries them out, without advance payment, except in the event of excess fees (amount higher than the rate set by Health Insurance for a consultation).
These 20 medical examinations follow a precise schedule that parents must know. From January 1, 2025, new rules are put in place according to a decree published on November 14, 2024 in the Official Journal. First new feature: from January, the child will have to take 13 exams (out of the 20 compulsory) during the first 3 years of their life, compared to 14 currently. The medical examination carried out between the 3rd week and the end of the 1st month of life is canceled. Second new feature, the child will have 4 compulsory medical examinations between the ages of 7 and 16, compared to 3 currently. A compulsory medical examination is added during the child’s 7th year, reports the official ministerial press release. To summarize, the child’s mandatory medical examinations must now take place:
- Within 8 days of birth
- During the 2nd week
- During the 2nd month
- During the 3rd month
- During the 4th month
- During the 5th month
- During the 6th month
- During the 9th month
- During the 12th month
- During the 13th month
- Between 16 and 18 months
- During the 24th or 25th month
- During the 3rd year
- During the 4th year
- During the 5th year
- During the 6th year
- During the 7e year (new in 2025)
- Between 8 and 9 years old
- Between 11 and 13 years old
- Between 15 and 16 years old.
During these mandatory examinations, doctors analyze the growth curve, psychomotor skills (assessment of the ability to perform certain gestures such as walking or catching), psycho-emotional development and whether vaccinations are up to date. From January 1, 2025, doctors will also have to identify possible psychological disorders (anxiety and depression) and also administer preventive treatments relating to certain childhood illnesses, if necessary.