100% Santé: Eliminate Out-of-Pocket Costs for Glasses, Dental Work, and Hearing Aids

When your optician presents the bill for new glasses, it often feels shockingly high—even after reimbursements from Social Security and your health insurance. Thankfully, France's 100% Santé reform now ensures full coverage for qualifying dental, optical, and auditory equipment, helping people access essential care without financial barriers.

What is 'reste à charge zéro'?

By definition, the remainder to pay (reste à charge) is the amount left after Social Security and your mutual insurance reimbursements: Amount payable = your expenses – social security reimbursements.

Great news: These out-of-pocket costs are eliminated for select high-quality equipment that meets strict standards, thanks to price caps set by health professionals and increased reimbursement bases from Social Security.

This cornerstone of the 100% Santé initiative combats care renunciation in France, where nearly one in three people has skipped medical treatment due to cost. It guarantees full reimbursement by Social Security and complementary health insurance for eligible optical, dental, and hearing expenses.

What does the reform cover?

An implementing decree published on January 12, 2019, outlines coverage floors and ceilings for 'responsible' contracts covering optical, dental, and audiology equipment. Starting January 1, 2020, most mutual contracts include zero remainder for optical and dental care; hearing aids followed in 2021. Soon, no wallet needed for glasses, hearing aids, or dental prosthetics.

• Optical equipment: From 2020, opticians must offer at least 17 frames (10 for children) in various colors, valued at €30 or less. Lenses include corrections that are anti-reflective, anti-UV, hardened, and thinned.
• Dental prostheses: From January 1, 2020, select crowns and bridges are fully reimbursed, such as monolithic and ceramic-metal crowns on visible teeth. By 2021, all prosthetic procedures qualify, based on tooth location and prosthesis type.
• Hearing aids: Effective 2021, full reimbursement covers devices with at least 12 adjustment channels and 30 dB amplification, plus options like anti-tinnitus, wireless connectivity, and wind noise reduction. Guaranteed for 4 years; costs double for both ears.

Who qualifies for zero remainder?

All French residents with a 'responsible' complementary health contract can access these benefits. Professionals must automatically offer equipment from the 100% Santé baskets.

What is a responsible health contract?

These contracts adhere to specifications with defined guarantee floors and ceilings, especially for dental, optical, and hearing care, to optimize health spending. Most contracts qualify.

To benefit, simply hold a responsible contract. From 2020, professionals must respect regulated price caps. Need glasses, a hearing aid, or dental crown? It's fully covered—no excuses needed!