Lecture Notes: The French Healthcare System

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Dinka
• Topic: Overview of the French Healthcare System
• Goal: Understand funding, features, and reasons for France's top healthcare ranking globally

General Overview

• France's healthcare system is part of a broader social security system
  • Includes retirement, unemployment safety net, and other benefits

Healthcare System Structure

• Universal healthcare financed by government national health insurance
• In 2000, WHO ranked France as providing the best overall healthcare
• In 2017, France spent about 11% of GDP on healthcare vs. 17% in the US

Coverage and Management

• Universal Health Care coverage extended to all legal residents
• Only about 3.7% of hospital treatment costs are reimbursed by private insurance
• Mix of public hospitals, non-profit independent hospitals, and private for-profit hospitals

Administration

• Administered nationally by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, and Women’s Rights
• SHI (Statutory Health Insurance) covers the entire population
  • Covers hospital costs, physicians, long-term care, and prescription drugs
  • Patients pay for coinsurance, co-payments, and balance bills

Universal Coverage History

• Statutory health insurance introduced in 1945 post-WWII
• Extended to self-employed and unemployed in 1966 and 2000 respectively
• CMU (Universal Health Coverage) created in 2000
• 2016: Universal Health Protection Law granted SHI eligibility to all

Financing Healthcare

• Funded through payroll taxes: 53% of funding
  • Employers pay 80% of tax, employees the rest
• Income tax contributes to 34%
• Taxes on tobacco and alcohol
• Pharmaceutical industry and voluntary health insurance provide 12%, state 1%

Healthcare Facilities

• Public hospitals account for 65% of capacity
• Private for-profit facilities account for 25%
• All hospitals reimbursed under SHI via diagnosis-related groups system
• Public hospitals funded mainly by SHI (80%) along with other sources

Healthcare Needs and Accessibility

• 12.7% of French residents reported unmet healthcare needs (2019)
• Freedom to choose any doctor and no need for specialist referrals

Covered Services

• Hospital care, outpatient care, maternity services, diagnostic services, prescription drugs, medical appliances

Registration for Healthcare

• For long-term residents (>3 months), registration through local CPAM office
• Necessary documents: ID, proof of residence, proof of income
• Receive a Carte Vitale, a health insurance card needed for medical appointments

Conclusion

• Q&A: Encouraged to reach out via email for questions
• Appreciation for participation and engagement in lecture series

Note: These notes provide an overview and key points from the lecture on the French healthcare system. For more detailed information, refer to the recommended reading and resources provided during the lecture.