According to the association of mutual insurers, the Mutualité Française (MF), the average increase is 8.1%, although the consumer association Que Choisir reports that it is around 10%.

Que Choisir state that the figure announced by the MF does not take into account age-related increases, especially for those of pensionable age, some of whom have seen increases of around 25%.

The increase this year follows an average increase of 7.3% in 2023.

According to the complementary health insurers the higher premiums are due to an increase of €1.3 billion in their own costs, driven by the rising costs of healthcare, in part due to an aging population.

They also point to government measures which have transferred some of the costs previously borne by the state to the insurers, such as the guarantee of a minimum basket of care for dental, optical and audiology offered through the '100 % Santé' scheme.

Further cost pressures have arisen due to the increases in remuneration to health professionals, notably the recent increase for GP consultations, which looks likely to rise again this year, up to €30 per consultation from the existing €26.50.

In addition, there are also taxes that are collected by the insurers for the benefit of the state insurance system, amounting to nearly 14% of the annual premium.

However, Que Choisir question whether the gradual shift of public spending from state health insurance to complementary health insurance is entirely responsible for the surge in premiums, arguing that the insurers also have a major responsibility.

Indeed, Thomas Fatôme, director of the state health insurance agency Caisse nationale de l’Assurance Maladie states that contrary to the views of the insurers, there has been "a decline in the share of complementary insurance in the reimbursement of health costs" over the last ten years.

Frédéric Bizard, president of the l'Institut Santé, also considers that the arguments of the mutual insurance companies are inadmissible. "Most of the transfers are rather in the other direction, from mutual insurance companies to state health insurance, with the care of 13 million patients with major health problems reimbursed at 100% by the state," he said.

According to the economist, the high inflation of mutual insurance companies' tariffs is mainly due to their exorbitant management fees, and to "competition distorted by the rigidity of the offer, with 96% of contracts being of the same type."

Given the increase in the level of the premiums payable, such policies need to be chosen with care as they are not always good value for money. The cover offered by expensive policies can often be unnecessary, but those offering only a minimum level of care are of little benefit.

The annual cost of the policies varies enormously, depending on age, extent of cover and place of residence. For a couple in their 60s, average premiums are now around €200+ a month. You can read more in an earlier piece we published, at The Cost of Complementary Health Insurance.

According to an analysis of data collected by Que Choisir, redistribution rates (share of contributions that go to members in the form of refunds) remain on average "low" (around 80%), in particular due to the high management fees.

Those seeking assistance with a complementary health insurance policy can contact our English language speaking health insurance broker who is able to offer competitive rates for such policies, as well as health policies for visa applications.