French Healthcare System

By: EconomyWatch Content   Date: 15 February 2010

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‘La couverture maladie universelle’ or the universal health care in France has left an example for the rest of the world to follow. Established in 1945, the French healthcare system is one of the best healthcare systems, and is based on the principles of solidarity. It offers financial protection against life’s contingencies. It is no surprise that the World Health Organization (W.H.O) once tagged the French healthcare system as the best in the world. 

Working Machinery of French Healthcare System

In early times, professional activity (being employed), formed the basis of the funding and benefits of Sécurité Sociale (social security). Today, the entire population is expected to pay towards a compulsory health insurance.

Health insurance issuers are non-profit organizations that along with the state, contribute towards the healthcare system. The state maintains three different funds out of which one takes care of almost 84% of the population. The premium is deducted at the source.

Once the patient makes a payment to the doctor or the hospitals, as much as 75% to 85% is paid back. The balance is the copayment. The copayment can also be recovered if the patient pays premium to a voluntary health insurance scheme. The Ministry of Health and Solidarity looks over the functioning of the entire health care machinery.


Preventive French Healthcare System

As majority of diseases can be prevented by leading a healthier life, French healthcare system has set up a dedicated department for long term care. Médecin généraliste (commonly called docteur) works towards preventing, educating on and providing general care for diseases that do not require specialist treatment. They have a mobile workforce that visits homes of patients who cannot commute on their own.

The infrastructure resonate a majority of publicly administered hospitals. Almost 65% of all French hospitals belong to the public sector and are engaged in supplying care besides training and teaching. Private hospitals, on the other hand, work on the fee for service funding.

The success of the French healthcare system can be attributed to the smart approach of tackling diseases through preventive mechanisms as well as addressing emergencies promptly before they convert into lethal medical conditions.


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