Public health insurance (PHI) plays a major role in reducing inequalities in France. Its benefits represent the equivalent of 40% of the disposable income for low-income households in the 20th percentile of the income distribution. The latter receive higher reimbursements for healthcare costs than high-income households, mainly due to the poorer health of this part of the population.
To a lesser extent, inequalities are also reduced by the progressive financing of public health insurance. The contributions paid by the wealthiest 10% of the population are more than 14 times higher than those paid by the poorest 10% – a similar ratio as the initial income gap.
Premiums for private complementary health insurance (CHI) and out-of-pocket expenses increase with income. The wealthiest households consume more care with free pricing, which is less well covered by the PHI: 650 euros per household per year, compared with 420 euros among low-income households. They also take out more expensive complementary health insurances. Despite this, premiums and out-of-pocket expenses represent a higher burden in the income of low-income households, particularly pensioners.
To a lesser extent, inequalities are also reduced by the progressive financing of public health insurance. The contributions paid by the wealthiest 10% of the population are more than 14 times higher than those paid by the poorest 10% – a similar ratio as the initial income gap.
Premiums for private complementary health insurance (CHI) and out-of-pocket expenses increase with income. The wealthiest households consume more care with free pricing, which is less well covered by the PHI: 650 euros per household per year, compared with 420 euros among low-income households. They also take out more expensive complementary health insurances. Despite this, premiums and out-of-pocket expenses represent a higher burden in the income of low-income households, particularly pensioners.