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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Fully covered by Health Insurance, long-term illnesses (ALD) are in the sights of the government, which wishes to make savings. The point of view of Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Diabetes, hypertension, heart failure… Long-term conditions (ALD) are numerous and there are 13 million people affected in France. This system allows patients who suffer from it to be 100% covered for all care related to this pathology. According to the Minister Delegate in charge of Health and Prevention Frédéric Valletoux, this “represents two thirds of reimbursements by Health Insurance”.
The government wants to reduce expenses related to this position
To reduce public spending and find the desired 12 billion savings, the government wants to tackle this system, which worries patients. For Frédéric Valletoux on the contrary, it is not “illegitimate, illogical, as has been done regularly, to question (…) the relevance of these devices“. For the minister, “with the aging of the population, the rise of chronic pathologies means that these envelopes will only increase..
To limit this, the executive is also counting on the ongoing negotiations between Health Insurance and private doctors concerning a possible reduction in prescriptions for medication and sick leave.
Dr Gérald Kierzek: “Everyone must play the game”
Questioned on the subject, Dr Gérald Kierzek believes that indeed, the number of patients concerned will only increase in the years to come. “It’s a structural problem. As the population ages, there will be more and more people requiring ALD care in the years to come.” explains the doctor. “But often, these are precarious patients, who are already paying a medical franchise. Dereimbursing this care is inflicting a double punishment on them“.
However, Gérald Kierzek does not deny existing abuses, both from doctors and patients. “Patients must understand that the ALD is not an unlimited credit card, with which you can spend all your health care 100% reimbursed. There are dual-zone prescriptions, where the doctor must prescribe medications and tests related to the pathology in a specific space and those that are not below. Everyone must play the game” he concludes.