The French health-care system is a mixed system, being both etatic and liberal. There is a collective health insurance program in place based on incomes; the premium payments are automatically deducted from salaries. The rate is determined each year by the government for an equilibrated budget. Patients have completely free access to all medical care, including hospitals and choice of practitioners. They can have as many consultations and hospitalizations as they want. Furthermore, public and private health structures coexist. Sixty-five percent of hospitals are public and 35% are private. Ambulatory care structures are mainly private (95%).

To finance the health-care system, including ambulatory and hospital care, a budget is approved by parliament annually. Ten percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is devoted to the health-care system, including public hospitals, private hospitals, ambulatory care organizations and pharmacies. The budget is being constantly increased.

Patients can get a refund of the total cost of health care. For example, refunds for hospitalization costs are between 80% and 100%. For ambulatory care, refunds are between 70% and 100% and for drugs, between 35% and 100%. Health care is free for the homeless and poor people (100% refund). There is a list of 30 severe diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), for which patients are entitled to a 100% refund.