Covid-19: Free health check for vulnerable patients

The cost of a special health consultation offered to older patients, people with cancer and pregnant women is to be covered by French health insurance, the French Ministry of Health has said.

The 'assessment and vigilance' consultation - which would normally cost €46 - was announced by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe when he unveiled the second phase of deconfinement following the coronavirus lockdown.

It is particularly intended for, "those who have not consulted their doctor during the period of confinement and who must imperatively do so, in order to check that their state of health does not require special surveillance, special measures or treatment," the Prime Minister said.

It will be available to anyone over the age of 65, as well as those people living with conditions that could make them vulnerable to coronavirus.

According to the published decree, the list of those able to claim the free consultation includes anyone with a history of cardiovascular problems; diabetes; chronic respiratory disease; chronic kidney failure requiring dialysis; progressive cancer under treatment; obesity; immunosuppression conditions; and women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

This appointment will allow doctors, "to assess the impact of confinement on the health of patients and to ensure continuity of care", to "advise people, according to their fragility and pathologies on the protective measures to be adopted in the context of deconfinement," the Health Ministry said.

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