French top-up insurance to increase by 6% in 2025
Ageing population and reduced state coverage cited as some of reasons behind hike
The increase is not as high as in 2024, but the second-highest of recent years
fizkes/Shutterstock
Top-up mutuelle insurance is set to increase by 6% on average next year in France, according to a report by insurers.
The increase, caused partly by France’s ageing population and increasing healthcare expenditure, is ‘inevitable’ said the Mutualité française federation in its report.
It is lower than the 8.1% increase seen in 2024, however is the second-highest annual increase in recent years.
Between 2011 and 2021, annual increases were 2.6% on average, rising to 3.4% in 2022 and 4.7% in 2023.
The estimate for the 2025 increase is based on preliminary figures from over 40 mutuelle companies that cover nearly 20 million people in France.
Employers hit hardest by increases
Breaking down the figures, individual mutuelle contracts – mostly taken out by retired people – are forecast to increase by an average 5.3%.
In comparison, contracts that cover employees (paid for through their company) are set to see a 7.3% rise on average.
Group contracts containing more than one person will rise by 6.8% on average.
One main reason behind the hike is France’s ever-expanding healthcare spending, which is forecast to increase by 5.2% next year.
Increased expenditure is principally due to “an ageing population, access to new treatments and medical technologies, and greater recognition of healthcare professions” the report states.
Insurers makes three suggestions in the report to reduce mutuelle costs:
Rebalancing funding and reimbursement rates between the state and insurance companies
Focusing on preventative healthcare to reduce hospitalisations and long-term illnesses
Better management of healthcare spending and resources, including increased co-operation within the sector to reduce waste
Increased responsibility for insurers
In addition to the general rise in healthcare expenditure, costs are increasing for mutuelle providers due to the increased contributions from the sector, which come in light of reduced state healthcare coverage.
This includes the coverage from insurers through the ‘100% Santé’ programme for glasses, hearing aids, and dental procedures.
Read more: Hearing aid take-up soars in France following 100% reimbursement scheme
Read more: What dental work is covered with the 100% Santé scheme in France?
Read more: How to get a free pair of glasses in France
State reimbursement for dental care dropped from 70% to 60% in 2023, with the increased costs falling on mutuelle insurers.
Former prime minister Michel Barnier was reportedly looking at lowering state contributions across the board for medical appointments to 60% (down from 70%) in an attempt to curb France’s healthcare debt.
Such plans will not come into force however, unless introduced in a revised 2025 budget.
The plans – which see coverage from mutuelle providers increase to 40% of the overall cost – faced backlash from across the political spectrum and if implemented would have seen costs likely increase even higher than scheduled.
Costs can vary greatly between different mutuelle policies, however you can use comparison tools to assess which coverage is best for you.
Read more: New way to check if your French top-up health insurance cost is fair
