Tests for the detection of the monkey pox virus will be reimbursed 100% by Health Insurance, said Saturday an order in the Official Journal, after a recommendation to this effect from the High Health Authority.
In France, 1,837 cases have been confirmed, including 781 in Ile-de-France, by Public Health France (SPF) according to figures published earlier this week. The World Health Organization triggered its highest level of alert on Saturday July 23 in an attempt to stem the outbreak of monkeypox, which has affected nearly 18,000 people in 74 countries. The epidemic mainly affects men who have sex with other men.
“The development of the monkeypox epidemic implies being able to confirm cases of infection in the absence of a sufficiently explicit clinical picture” and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) (a technique that includes PCR testing) “allow to confirm infections”underlines this decree. “These screening tests should therefore be covered by health insurance”continues the text.
A test that confirms or invalidates an uncertain diagnosis
Monday, July 25, the High Authority for Health had decided for the reimbursement by Health Insurance of the tests, after being seized by the Ministry of Health on the question.
The authority had however recalled that the diagnosis was based first on the examination and the interrogation of the patient, specifying that “Detection by NAAT test should only be carried out in case of persistent doubt after clinical examination” for “whether or not to confirm the infection.
“The use of this type of test is thus limited to suspected cases and possible cases, as defined by Public Health France and is not necessary in the absence of symptoms”had specified the health authority.
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