A growing number of patients are using the so-called “social direct settlement system” (“tiers payant social”). The government has announced that a universal direct settlement system is to be introduced in late 2023.
In his response to a parliamentary question by MP Sven Clement from the Pirate Party, Minister of Social Security Claude Haagen stated that in 2022, the CNS directly settled the medical bills of 6,226 insured, up from 4,757 in 2018. This represents a 31% increase in five years.
The majority of services covered by social direct settlements concern bills from GPs and specialists. Currently, the CNS settles all outstanding invoices to doctors in a single monthly payment via bank transfer. In the future, the process will be digitalised and therefore accelerated, according to Haagen.
The Minister reiterated that universal direct settlement for all patients is to be introduced by the end of the year. In a recent interview with RTL, the Minister did not provide a specific date. Once the new system is in effect, patients will only have to pay for expenses that are not covered by the CNS.
