In a symbolic gesture and as a form of pressure before the upcoming negotiations between private doctors and the French health insurance system, forty-eight general practitioners and four specialists in Corsica have decided to exit the conventional system. This move involves transitioning from “sector 1,” which prohibits charging extra fees, to “out of sector” (or “sector 3”), where patients are not reimbursed if the doctors do not adhere to the conventional rates. The letters sent to the health insurance system on May 4th announce the decision to exit the convention by October 1st, demanding equal measures for Corsica as compared to other regions, such as a 20% increase in clinical acts and 16% increase in technical acts, or access to a “sector 2” for all doctors.
This decision is not isolated, as around 5,000 letters of intention to deconvention have been recorded by the Union française pour une médecine libre (UFML) syndicate. The movement has gained momentum in Corsica, Occitanie, and Brest, with plans to formally deposit the signatures once they reach 10,000. The health insurance system has already registered seventy effective deconventions in 2023, in addition to 743 non-conventional practitioners in 2022, out of more than 110,000 conventioned doctors. This movement includes half of the general practitioners in Bastia and over 60% of those in Porto-Vecchio, showing significant support within the medical community for this change.
The collective Médecins libéraux Corsica, formed in June 2023 on non-political and non-unionized principles, aims to advocate for the recognition of Corsica’s unique circumstances, particularly its “island mountain” status, in the medical convention that connects private practice to the health insurance system. The main goal of this group of doctors is to highlight the specific needs of the island in the negotiations and to push for a more suitable agreement that considers their challenges. This movement is driven by a desire to address the shortcomings in the current system and to ensure that Corsican doctors receive fair treatment and support.
The decision to deconvention by a significant number of doctors in Corsica reflects a larger trend of dissatisfaction and demands for change within the medical community. By challenging the existing conventions and rules, these doctors are advocating for better conditions and recognition of their unique circumstances. The support for this movement indicates a growing frustration with the limitations imposed by the current system and a desire for more flexibility and autonomy in medical practice. The ongoing negotiations between doctors and the health insurance system will likely be influenced by these developments and may lead to significant changes in the way healthcare is provided in Corsica.
Overall, the decision of forty-eight general practitioners and four specialists in Corsica to exit the conventional system is a symbolic and strategic move to push for better conditions and recognition of their unique circumstances. This decision is part of a larger movement within the medical community to challenge the existing rules and demand changes that better address their needs. The support for this movement reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the current system and a desire for more autonomy and flexibility in medical practice. These developments are likely to influence the upcoming negotiations between doctors and the health insurance system, potentially leading to significant changes in the healthcare landscape in Corsica.
