Since October 1, 2026, several measures have concretely changed access to care and management in France. Reimbursement for menstrual products, extension of preventive assessments, evolution of psychological support systems: these changes affect millions of people and reshape the contours of health coverage on a daily basis.
Reusable menstrual products: targeted reimbursement against poverty
Among the measures that have come into effect, the reimbursement of reusable menstrual products marks a turning point. Since October 1, 2026, certain menstrual panties and cups are covered by Health Insurance.
The system targets two groups: menstruating individuals under 26 years old, and beneficiaries of the Complementary Health Solidarity, regardless of age. The stated goal of the Ministry of Health is to combat menstrual poverty, a public health issue that has long remained in the blind spot of prevention policies.
Several points deserve attention. The coverage applies to reusable products, not traditional disposable products. This choice directs users towards longer-lasting products, which reduces the overall cost for users while limiting waste. To follow the news on Santé Market, this measure is among the most commented changes this autumn.
My expanded prevention assessment with physiotherapists
The My prevention assessment system already existed, but it was reserved for certain health professions. Since October 1, 2026, physiotherapists can conduct these preventive appointments.
This assessment targets four specific age groups:
- 18-25 years, to early identify lifestyle-related risk factors (sedentary lifestyle, posture, diet)
- 45-50 years and 60-65 years, critical periods when chronic conditions often develop without visible symptoms
- 70-75 years, to adapt prevention strategies to aging and the risk of loss of autonomy
The interest in opening this assessment to physiotherapists lies in their territorial network. In areas underserved by general practitioners, the physiotherapist becomes a local prevention relay. The appointment allows for discussions on topics such as adapted physical activity or identifying musculoskeletal fragilities, areas where the physiotherapist’s expertise is directly relevant.
Third-party payment for My psychological support: removing the financial barrier
Accessing a psychologist through the My psychological support system previously required upfront payment of the portion reimbursed by Health Insurance. This barrier has now disappeared. Since October 1, 2026, third-party payment is generalized for My psychological support.
In practical terms, the patient consulting a psychologist participating in the system only pays any remaining balance. The Health Insurance portion is directly paid to the practitioner.
This evolution is significant. Mental health remains an area where forgoing care for financial reasons is common. Eliminating upfront costs reduces the most immediate entry barrier, that of the perceived cost at the time of making an appointment. The My psychological support system had been criticized for its low usage rate since its launch. The generalization of third-party payment aims to address this structural issue.
Medications with low medical benefit: what changes for patients with long-term illnesses
The less publicized aspect of these changes concerns patients with long-term illnesses. Since October 1, 2026, medications deemed to have low medical benefit no longer automatically receive full coverage for patients with long-term illnesses.
The medical benefit (SMR) is the evaluation by the High Authority of Health of the therapeutic benefit of a medication. A low SMR means that the medication provides limited benefit compared to available alternatives or the absence of treatment.
For affected patients, this translates into a higher out-of-pocket cost for certain treatments. The measure is part of a logic of rationalizing health expenditures, but it raises a practical question: a patient with a long-term illness on chronic treatment must now check with their doctor if their prescriptions are affected by this change in coverage.
Medical deductibles and flat-rate contributions
Meanwhile, medical deductibles on boxes of medications and paramedical acts continue to apply. These amounts, automatically deducted, add to the new reimbursement framework. For patients combining long-term illness and treatments with low SMR, the financial impact can become significant over a full year.
Health trends and prevention: what these measures outline
These four developments share a common thread: the gradual shift of the health system towards prevention and easier access to primary care. The reimbursement of menstrual products falls under health prevention. The extension of the prevention assessment to physiotherapists broadens the screening network. The third-party payment for psychological support reduces a concrete economic barrier.
The tightening on medications with low SMR, on the other hand, reflects another trend: the desire to concentrate resources on treatments whose effectiveness is best documented. These trade-offs between access to care and cost control will continue to shape the evolution of the health system in the coming months.
Both patients and health professionals have an interest in closely monitoring these changes, as each quarter now brings its share of regulatory adjustments that alter daily care management.
