France raises health insurance reimbursement rates for 2027

The French government has raised the reimbursement rates paid by the national health insurance for dental fees, medical devices, innovative medicines and sanitary transport, in a package of four decrees signed on 21 August 2026 and published in the Journal officiel de la République française n°0195 of 22 August 2026. The measures, issued by the Ministère de la santé, des familles, de l’autonomie et des personnes handicapées, amend article R. 160-5 of the code de la sécurité sociale and take effect on 1 January 2027.

The reform is framed as a drive for the “soutenabilité” (sustainability) of the French health system, rebalancing coverage between the least and most effective care. The four texts — Décret n° 2026-809, Décret n° 2026-810, Décret n° 2026-811 and Décret n° 2026-812 — were countersigned by the health minister and the ministre de l’action et des comptes publics.

Higher rates for dental care and medical devices

Décret n° 2026-809 (NOR SFHS2619775D) raises the reimbursement for dental surgeons’ fees and certain dental care acts. Under article R. 160-5, 3° bis, the previous rates of 35% and 45% are replaced by 50% and 60%.

Décret n° 2026-810 (NOR SFHS2619811D) applies to certain medical devices, raising the rates in several paragraphs of the same article:

At 8°, from 40% and 50% to 50% and 60%;
At 19° and 20°, from 35% and 45% to 50% and 60%.

Financing access to the most innovative medicines

Décret n° 2026-811 (NOR SFHS2619814D) finances access to the most innovative medicines by drawing the consequences of the evaluation of the medical service rendered (SMR) on the least effective drugs. The reimbursement rates are raised across four paragraphs of article R. 160-5:

At 6°, from 70% and 75% to 85% and 95%;
At 7°, from 85% and 90% to 93% and 97%;
At 14°, from 80% and 90% to 93% and 97%;
At 15°, from 70% and 75% to 85% and 95%.

Sanitary transport and staggered entry into force

Décret n° 2026-812 (NOR SFHS2619819D) concerns sanitary transport. It raises the rates at 9° of article R. 160-5 from 45% and 55% to 50% and 60%, and amends article R. 322-10 to extend coverage to patients on long-term treatment falling under the 3° and 4° of article L. 160-14.

The entry into force is staggered: the transport rate change applies from 1 January 2027, while the amendment to article R. 322-10 takes effect earlier, on 1 October 2026. The other three decrees all come into force on 1 January 2027.

For insured persons, the higher rates mean lower out-of-pocket costs for dental care, medical devices, innovative treatments and ambulance transport. For health professionals, the changes alter the share of fees billed to the assurance maladie and require updated billing practices from the start of next year.

Source: Journal officiel de la République française, n°0195, 22 August 2026, section I (official references: Décret n° 2026-809, NOR SFHS2619775D; Décret n° 2026-810, NOR SFHS2619811D; Décret n° 2026-811, NOR SFHS2619814D; Décret n° 2026-812, NOR SFHS2619819D).