Trial into new free health check-ups begin in France: who can benefit?

A limited trial run of the new free state health check-up programme has begun with a plan for it to be rolled out across the country next year. We look at what is involved and who can benefit.

The Mon bilan prévention programme, or my prevention check-up, started on October 2 in parts of the north of France and will run until the end of the year. This initial trial concerns people aged 45 to 50.

The free health check-ups were an election campaign of President Macron and are intended to provide people with access to preventative care and information about good habits at certain key ages in life: 18 to 25, 45 to 50, 60 to 65 and 70 to 75.

This new programme, with a focus on prevention, comes as an additional check-up to the five yearly one currently proposed by the French state health insurance system Assurance Maladie.

Read more: How do I get a free healthcare check-up in France?

What is on offer?

The programme gives people of all ages the opportunity to talk with a medical professional (doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist) about their concerns regarding diet, mental health and vaccination.

However, care offered by the programme varies according to age range:

• 18 to 25: A particular focus on addictions, mental health linked to the world of work, dietary and physical activity awareness as well as vaccination status checks
• 45 to 50: Cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular screening awareness, dietary information as well as vaccination status checks.
• 60 to 65: Cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular screening awareness, dietary information as well as vaccination status checks.
• 70 to 75: Managing independent living and the challenges of advancing age.

The free consultations should last from 30 to 45 minutes.

The current trial run in the Hauts-de-France region is the first attempt to implement the programme. No start date has been confirmed for the national programme.

How can you benefit?

If you are aged from 45 to 50 and live in the Somme or in another of the catchment areas in the Hauts-de-France region, such as Valenciennes (Nord), Calais (Pas-de-Calais), the south of Oise or Aisne, you may be eligible for the trial programme.

The Assurance Maladie will inform you that you can book a check-up. If they do not, you can contact a local doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist for more information.

Prior to the check-up you may be asked to fill in a form or do a short interview on subjects such as diet, physical activity, addictions, mental health, and your personal environment

You must have a French social security number to take part.

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