Decree 2026-858 increases the health contribution of insured persons

Decree No. 2026-858 of September 11, 2026, published in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0213 of September 12, 2026 (NOR SFHS2624226D), increases the maximum annual contribution of insured persons toward healthcare costs and the ceiling for the medical deductible. Signed by the Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy, and People with Disabilities, the text amends the Social Security Code and applies as of October 1, 2026.

Two Ceilings Increased

The decree amends two articles of the Social Security Code, which set the annual limits on the deductions borne by insured persons from their care reimbursements.

• Article D. 160-6: the maximum annual contribution of insured persons toward healthcare costs increases from 25 to 35 euros.
• Article D. 160-10: the annual ceiling for the medical deductible increases from 50 to 70 euros.

These amounts correspond to the ceiling beyond which health insurance ceases to deduct the flat-rate contribution and the deductible from reimbursements, thereby protecting those insured persons who consume the most care.

Annual Indexation to Inflation

The decree establishes an automatic revaluation of these two amounts on January 1 of each year. The coefficient used is equal to the change in the annual average consumer prices, excluding tobacco, calculated over the last twelve monthly indices published by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).

• For the contribution under Article D. 160-6, the resulting number is rounded to the nearest whole number, with a fraction of 0.5 counting as 1.
• For the deductible under Article D. 160-10, the amount is rounded to the nearest even whole number.
• If the rounding does not lead to an increase, the following year’s coefficient takes into account all monthly indices since the last effective revaluation.

This indexation clause, provided for in paragraph 2° of Articles 1 and 2, is however only applicable as of January 1, 2028.

Exemptions Preserved

The decree maintains the exemptions provided for in II and III of Article L. 160-13 of the Social Security Code. Those exempt include insured persons based on their income, persons under 18 years of age, and pregnant women, who do not bear these deductions.

Implementation Schedule

The application of the decree is phased over time:

• the increases in amounts (1° of Article 1 and Article 2) enter into force on October 1, 2026;
• the annual indexation mechanisms (2° of these articles) apply as of January 1, 2028.

The Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy, and People with Disabilities and the Minister of Action and Public Accounts are responsible, each in their respective capacity, for the execution of the decree.

An increase in out-of-pocket costs for all insured persons

With these increases, the maximum annual out-of-pocket cost borne by social security insured persons increases by 10 euros for the flat-rate contribution and by 20 euros for the medical deductible. This measure, which affects all insured persons under the general scheme, aims to adapt the ceilings to price changes while protecting the most vulnerable populations, whose exemptions are maintained. The affected insured persons will see these deductions apply starting October 1, 2026, and then evolve annually in line with inflation starting from 2028.

Official source: Decree No. 2026-858 of September 11, 2026, relating to the maximum annual contribution of insured persons to healthcare costs, NOR SFHS2624226D, published in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0213 on September 12, 2026.