French are Spending More on Health: Study

A Cofidis study, conducted on a panel of 1,000 French people and revealed on April 12, announces that the annual sum dedicated to health costs has increased by 75% in five years, from 715 euros to 1,249 euros, or around 534 euros more. . An increase that reflects a much more “health” oriented state of mind since the Covid crisis, despite purchasing power sinking into the red.

One in two French people use strategy to manage their health budget

Despite financial difficulties, the study therefore reveals that 3 out of 4 French people have not given up seeking treatment in the last 12 months. However, for 1 out of 2 French people, the increase in charges linked to healthcare costs is seen as an effort. 44% of respondents say they have implemented strategies to optimize their budget. Among them :

• Not repurchasing a medicine they already have at home (60%);
• Make an appointment only with doctors / specialists approved in sector 1 (50%);
• Ask to be prescribed only generic or reimbursed drugs (50%);
• Compare the prices charged from one pharmacy to another (30%).

The renunciation of care remains a reality

For a quarter of French people, however, including health costs in the budget remains an ordeal, in particular because of the remainder to be paid (i.e. the amount that remains to be paid after the various reimbursements) which has also increased. This is estimated at 288 euros per year, i.e. 50 euros more than in 2017.

Also, the French who said they had encountered difficulties in financing their health costs (17%) used 3 solutions:

• Draw on their budget dedicated to current expenses (60%);
• Draw on their personal savings (39%). Solution acclaimed more strongly vs 2018, clearly showing that healthcare costs fall less and less into current expenditure and which testify to an overall financial situation which is gradually contracting;
• Asking for help from family (18%);
• Take out a loan (16%).

A remaining charge which is all the higher in dental care and optics, and which pushes 52% of those questioned to give up care, dental care, in particular. However, the dependent remainder is not solely responsible for this renunciation. Reasons of accessibility or medical desertification also prevent proper treatment: 30% of respondents encounter difficulties in obtaining an appointment.

There are also disparities between households: the renunciation of care is even more marked among young people (35% of 25-34 year olds), and households with dependent children (33%).

For Mathieu Escarpit, Marketing Director at Cofidis who initiated the study: “We are seeing a significant increase in health spending, a sign both of the priority given by the French to health but also of the impact of inflation. However, health is not immune to budgetary constraints: in fact, 26% of French people have given up seeking treatment and 44% are seeking to reduce their health expenditure..