The tests for the detection of the monkeypox virus will be reimbursed 100% by the Health Insurance, indicated this Saturday a decree in the Official Gazette, after a recommendation to the effect of the High Health Authority.

“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 tests (NAAT) (a technique that includes PCR tests) “allow confirmation of infections” , underlines this decree.

“It is convenient, therefore, that these screening tests are covered by Health Insurance,” the text continues.

On Monday, the High Authority for Health had decided the reimbursement by the Health Insurance of the tests, after being seized by the Ministry of Health on the matter.

An examination in case of “lingering doubt”

The High Health Authority had recalled that the diagnosis is based first of all on the examination and questioning of the patient, specifying that “detection by means of the NAAT test should only be carried out in case of persistent doubt after clinical examination” to “confirm or not ” the infection.

“The use of this type of test is therefore limited to + suspected cases + and + possible cases +, as defined by Public Health France and is not necessary in the absence of symptoms,” specified the health authority.