Patients with cancer will be able to have their prescribed physical activity sessions reimbursed as part of a two-year experiment. The experiment will be deployed in Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, under the supervision of the regional health agencies (ARS).
The decree, published on Thursday, April 16, allows for the reimbursement of physical activity sessions in the context of a comprehensive care program for cancer patients. This measure was included in the 2024 Social Security budget.
Initially, a permanent and broader scheme was planned in the 2024 social security financing bill, which also included people with diabetes. However, the government later removed this provision during parliamentary proceedings, causing criticism from patient and healthcare organizations.
Cases of obesity are also being closely monitored. Various scientific studies have long demonstrated the benefits of appropriate physical activity alongside treatments for cancer, lung diseases, and diabetes.
Although some health insurance companies and experimental programs cover tailored physical activity sessions, they are not widely supported by the National Health Insurance. By 2026, coordinated care pathways and therapeutic education with tailored physical activity will be rolled out for adults with complex obesity or associated complications.
Numerous studies, including one conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 2021, have shown that doctors prescribe tailored physical activity minimally due to lack of training, visibility, and funding.
