Overview
- The Assurance Maladie began national telecontrols on December 1, using videoconference consultations by Cnam médecins-conseils to review certain absences.
- Eligible cases include sick leave plus some work-accident, occupational-disease and invalidity files, while any need for a physical exam leads to an in-person visit.
- Trial results showed 38% of remotely reviewed sick leaves were ended, and about 85% of respondents said they would accept another video review.
- Patients receive email and SMS notifications two days before with a reminder the day prior, and telecontrols are limited to 20% of review doctors’ activity.
- Cnam frames the rollout as a cost-control and capacity tool as indemnity spending reportedly reached €17.1 billion last year and staffing has thinned, while critics flag identity checks and clinical assessment limits by video.