That is what France spent last year to cover patients with long-term chronic conditions, known as Affections de longue durée (ALD). The figure marks a staggering 75% increase over the past decade.
That massive financial footprint comes from just 22% of the insured population, forcing the Social Security system to evaluate new cost-saving measures.
Aging Population and Expensive Treatments Drive Financial Surge
The financial surge is largely driven by two factors: an aging population and the integration of increasingly expensive, innovative medical treatments.
Health economist Nathalie Coutinet points out that the prevalence of chronic illnesses is actively expanding. The most prominent among them include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric disorders.
Last year alone, the Social Security system spent nearly 4 billion euros on cancer and diabetes treatments. Meanwhile, psychiatric care costs exceeded one billion euros.
The Case for Kidney Transplants Over Dialysis
Bruno Lamothe of Renaloo, an association for patients with kidney disease, focuses heavily on the current over-reliance on dialysis treatments.
He argues that shifting vital resources directly toward transplantation could significantly reduce expenditures.
"If we went from 3,800 transplants to 6,000 per year, we would save 500 million euros," Lamothe stated.
Beyond isolated treatment adjustments, experts suggest that prioritizing long-term prevention strategies is essential to curb the relentless growth of ALD-related costs.
France Grants ALD Coverage to 15 Million Patients
There are approximately 15 million people in France currently benefiting from ALD coverage. This vital status is granted specifically to patients suffering from severe or chronic conditions, including various forms of cancer, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders.
The Driving Force Behind Cancer Care Expenses
Cancer care costs are rising primarily due to the development and use of highly innovative, specialized therapies.
These treatments are inherently more expensive to produce and administer, directly driving the overall increase in the share of health spending dedicated to chronic disease management.
Weighing Chronic Care Against Total Insured Population
Chronic diseases currently represent 67% of all reimbursable health expenses in France.
While these 15 million patients account for the vast majority of public spending, they ultimately make up less than a quarter of the total number of insured individuals in the country.
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