Why it will be more difficult to get an X-ray or MRI in France this Monday

"Patients may find their French radiologist's clinic closed on Monday, after a union representing radiologists called for strike action to protest against plans to change fees for radiology and medical scans. Patients looking in need of an X-ray or a CT scan might find their radiologist's clinic closed on Monday, as unions call for French radiologists to walk out. An estimated 70 percent and 85 percent of France's 4,800 radiologists with their own clinics were expected to join the walkout, according to a representative of the Fédération nationale des médecins radiologues (FNMR) in an interview broadcast on BFM TV on Sunday."

"Why are radiologists on strike? In October, the French national health insurance system published a new fee schedule for radiology and medical imaging, which lowered the prices of reimbursable procedures. According to Le Parisien, the reduction in prices would come to an average drop of five percent, and it would not affect patients. The scheme is part of the French national health insurance system's goal to save €300 million compared to the natural growth in spending between 2025 and 2027. According to FNMR President Jean-Philippe Masson, the price cuts imposed by the French national health insurance system will lead to "a €600,000 drop in revenue out of a total of €4.5 million" at his facility in Carcassonne, which operates three CT scanners and three MRI machines between public and private hospitals. He argued that medical imaging facilities will seek to curb spending in order to cope,"

Radiologists across France planned a strike that could close many clinics on Monday after unions called for walkouts. An estimated 70–85 percent of the country’s 4,800 radiologists with independent clinics were expected to join, and night-shift staffing has already been reduced. Some striking radiologists were requisitioned to maintain minimum services. The French national health insurance system published a new fee schedule in October lowering reimbursable imaging prices by about five percent and aiming to save €300 million versus projected growth from 2025–2027. Facilities face revenue losses and expect to curb spending to cope.

Read at The Local France