Covid-19 tests are still reimbursed in france - but not for long

REIMBURSEMENT FOR MOST WILL STOP AFTER THE EPIDEMIC SEASON, BUT SOME HAVE CRITICISED THE MOVE France is to stop reimbursing the cost of lateral flow Covid-19 tests after the current winter

epidemic season is over, health authorities have announced. The Direction générale de la santé (DGS) confirmed the change on January 17, in a message to the AFP. “Pharmacists will be able to

continue to carry out Covid Trod (tests rapides d’orientation diagnostique, rapid diagnostic tests) as well as providing self-tests at patient requests”, it said, although “the latter will

no longer be reimbursed by the Assurance-maladie”. Currently, tests are reimbursed at €16.50 from the total cost of €19.50. Those who have a medical prescription for a test may be eligible

for reimbursement, however, if “the use of a Covid-19 RT-PCR test is recommended” as they have a higher risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. Without reimbursement patients

will have to pay the full cost of the test. Read also: Hospital flu admissions on rise in France: Is it too late to get vaccinated? Read more: France's joint flu and Covid vaccination

campaign: What you need to know  HEALTH INDUSTRY CRITICISM Some professionals in the health industry have criticised the decision, saying that tests should be available to all vulnerable

people, and that Covid tests have an important role to play when it comes to screening for other conditions such as flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus, a respiratory virus that infects

the nose, throat, and lungs). Philippe Besset, president of the Fédération des syndicats pharmaceutiques de France (FSPF), told AFP: “It would be useful during winter epidemics of

respiratory syndromes, to maintain reimbursement for tests that combine the detection of influenza, Covid and the bronchiolitis virus for the fragile population, i.e. the over-65s and

patients and people on long-term care.” Pharmacist union the UPSO also said it felt “deep concern” at the move, in a press release. It called the decision “incomprehensible…in the middle of

an epidemic period”, and said it sent the wrong message. Read more: French pharmacies can prescribe and give vaccines: we explain which “Currently, the cost of taking samples and using Covid

tests makes it possible to carry out combined screening for influenza and RSV at a lower cost,” it said, and helps to “detect the onset of epidemics in each region at an early stage, and

anticipate the organisation of care in collaboration with doctors and hospitals”. France has been experiencing a severe flu epidemic in recent weeks, with admissions to hospital increasing

in early January (alongside a seasonal outbreak of bronchiolitis in infants). Covid levels have remained relatively stable this winter, so far. Read more: MAP: 35 French hospitals activate a

‘white plan’ due to flu cases - what it means Read also: Flu intensifies in France, Covid-19 stable: the latest official figures The decision comes after French health authority la Haute

autorité de santé (HAS) said in June 2023 that combined Covid/flu and Covid/flu/RSV TRODs did not represent “at the individual level, a proven medical benefit in the diagnosis of acute

respiratory infections in towns and cities’”. However, the HAS did say that it could still justify public funding for tests “because of the potential benefits for the healthcare system,

carers and parents/patients during the winter period”.