As promised by President Macron, wheelchairs will be fully reimbursed by Social Security from Monday for disabled and elderly people experiencing loss of autonomy, with fast and simplified procedures.
"Health insurance will cover the entire cost of wheelchairs adapted to the specific needs of each individual," whether they are "related to a disability from birth, acquired during life, an accident in life" or a loss of autonomy related to age, the Élysée Palace indicated.
Announced by Emmanuel Macron in April 2023 at the National Disability Conference, reimbursement by Health Insurance without out-of-pocket expenses will apply to "all people who need it".
A "first in Europe", according to the Elysée, "which will change the lives of millions of French men and women" so that no one "has to give up their mobility for lack of means".
“I need to change my wheelchair, and I’ll be able to do so without worrying about the extra cost or lengthy procedures,” says Laurence Devilette, 63, who has multiple sclerosis. Purchased for €12,000, her wheelchair allows her to turn around and raise herself to reach the top shelves in supermarkets.
Some 1.1 million people use a wheelchair and 150,000 people acquire one each year, according to the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities.
In recent months, the government has negotiated a "tariff framework" with manufacturers in a "nomenclature" that includes all categories of armchairs and will evolve with technical progress.
The reimbursement for a "classic lightweight wheelchair", previously 600 euros, will increase to 6,000 euros, representing a tenfold increase in coverage.
A "vertical electric wheelchair" currently covered at 5,000 euros will be "reimbursed up to 21,000 euros", the Ministry for Disabled Persons indicates on its website.
All wheelchairs and their "options and additions" (articulated arm, upright wheelchair, etc.) justified by a medical need will be reimbursed. With these options, some wheelchairs can cost "up to €100,000," according to the Élysée Palace.
Unlike the +100% health+ which gives access to glasses and hearing aids without out-of-pocket expenses, this is not a "basket of entry-level products": "all wheelchairs in all categories" existing on the market are concerned, explains Malika Boubekeur, access to rights advisor at APF France Handicap, who is delighted with this "victory".
– Without fear of the cost –
Obtaining a wheelchair was until now an "obstacle course that could take several months," explains Pascale Ribes, president of the association.
"You had to apply for a health insurance company, then go around to the various funding bodies: the departmental house for disabled people, local authorities, even your relatives. Some even launched crowdfunding campaigns," she explains.
From now on the procedure will be quick and simplified, with a "one-stop shop", the Health Insurance.
The prescription, issued by healthcare professionals, will be sent to a home healthcare provider, who will handle the paperwork with the national health insurance. The recipient will receive their wheelchair without having to pay upfront and without any out-of-pocket expenses.
Specific options and accessories may be subject to a prior agreement request, but a lack of response from the Health Insurance will now be considered agreement, whereas previously silence meant refusal.
The renewal period is five years for adults and three years for minors, more often if needs change: changes in disability, size or build, according to this reform "co-constructed with associations", such as AFM Téléthon, APF France Handicap and Cerebral Palsy France.
In addition, disabled people will also be able to get reimbursed for a sports wheelchair up to 2,400 euros.
In the midst of the debate on the social security budget, the executive branch estimates the cost of this reform at approximately 100 to 200 million euros in addition to the 300 million euros currently allocated per year.
“People were not taking wheelchairs adapted to their needs because of the out-of-pocket costs. But a wheelchair is an extension of the body, it represents autonomy. Today everyone will be able to access the wheelchair they need, without fear of the cost,” rejoices Pascale Ribes.
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