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France Rolls Out Full Reimbursement for Medically Prescribed Wheelchairs Today

The plan streamlines access through Assurance‑Maladie as a single gateway to eliminate upfront payments.

Overview

  • Coverage now reaches 100% for wheelchairs prescribed for disability or age‑related loss of autonomy, with no out‑of‑pocket costs for beneficiaries.
  • Reimbursement ceilings rise sharply, from €600 to €6,000 for a light manual chair and from €5,000 to €21,000 for an electric verticalizing chair.
  • All medically justified options and add‑ons are included, with the Élysée noting that some configurations can approach €100,000.
  • Prescriptions are handled by trained health professionals, home‑care suppliers process the claim with the insurer, and recipients receive equipment without advancing funds.
  • Renewal intervals are set at five years for adults and three years for minors, sports wheelchairs are covered up to €2,400, and the government estimates an additional annual cost of roughly €100–200 million after negotiating a tariff framework with manufacturers and working with disability associations.