France offers gluten-free Galette cake on prescription

"French residents who cannot digest gluten can now have a gluten-free version of the traditional Galette des Rois cake reimbursed by the state health system. An enterprising baker in Rouen has begun producing a gluten-free version of the Galette des Rois, which is partially reimbursed on the French health system for people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Anthony Roy, owner of Le Petit Minotier bakery based in Darnétal,"

"People who have received a diagnosis of Celiac Disease are able to access a partial refund of gluten-free products, on the basis that they tend to be more expensive than the classic versions of the same product, creating an effective 'illness tax' for Celiac patients. The process, however, is complicated - patients must scan the barcodes of gluten-free products using the Ameli app, and must make a claim for each product."

A gluten-free Galette des Rois is now eligible for partial reimbursement for people diagnosed with Celiac Disease under the French health system. A baker near Rouen produces rice-flour Galettes and has added a barcode so they can be claimed through the Ameli app. Reimbursement applies because gluten-free products are generally more expensive, creating an additional cost burden for patients. Only pre-packaged items with barcodes can be reimbursed, requiring a separate claim per product. The Galette des Rois is traditionally eaten on January 6th and contains a hidden '' that brings a year of good luck.

Read at The Local France