Delisting of prescriptions: Dominique Estrosi-Sassone denounces a “breach of equality”

The delisting of prescriptions written by non-contracted doctors, provided for by the social security financing law for 2026, is causing many reactions. Contested by several medical unions, this measure is also denounced by Alpes-Maritimes senator Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, who is calling on the government to reverse a measure deemed penalizing for patients.

Adopted as part of the social security financing law for 2026, the measure provides that from January 1, 2027, prescriptions issued by doctors practicing in sector 3, outside of an agreement with Health Insurance, will no longer be reimbursed.

The government presents this provision as a way to preserve the agreement system between private practice doctors and Health Insurance. Several medical organizations instead denounce a penalty that would primarily affect patients. Opponents argue that two people suffering from the same illness and receiving the same prescription would no longer be reimbursed in the same way depending on the contractual status of the prescribing doctor.

In this context, Dominique Estrosi-Sassone questioned the government in the Senate.

Dominique Estrosi-Sassone calls on the Health Minister

The Alpes-Maritimes senator believes that this provision creates an inequality in access to care. “This measure is based on no medical criteria: with identical illness and identical prescription, two patients will no longer benefit from the same reimbursement depending on whether their doctor has or has not signed an agreement with the National Health Insurance Fund. This is a breach of equality between insured persons that is justified by nothing on a health basis.”

Dominique Estrosi-Sassone also highlights possible consequences on the ground. According to the parliamentarian, many contracted doctors no longer accept new patients or offer waiting times incompatible with routine care needs. Conversely, more than 54% of doctors practicing in sector 3 would see their patients in less than 48 hours.

In her response, the minister recalls that this provision is of parliamentary origin and that the government had issued a word of caution during the debates. The ministry emphasizes the desire to preserve the agreement between private practice doctors and Health Insurance. The minister indicates that approximately 1,000 doctors practice outside of agreements and that prescriptions from these practitioners represent nearly 200 million euros in reimbursements each year. Dialogue is also underway with representative organizations of private practice doctors to assess the consequences of the measure.

Dominique Estrosi-Sassone ultimately calls for the abandonment of the measure. “We wish for this measure to be cancelled because nearly one million French people would thus be deprived of reimbursement for their prescriptions. Forgoing care and having them redirected to emergency services would be counterproductive both in budgetary and health terms.”