E-cigarettes reimbursed by health insurance! We tell you everything!

Health insurance providers that reimburse the e-cigarette in 2023

In France, vaping is considered a consumer product and not a tobacco product or a medicine. It is therefore currently not covered by social security and cannot in practice be reimbursed by a health insurance provider — unlike in England, which has been reimbursing the e-cigarette since 2016, affirming that it is an extremely effective tool for smoking cessation and that it is moreover 95% less harmful than cigarettes. As paradoxical as it may seem, shops specializing in vaping are considered by the French government as essential businesses, given that they provide products that allow many ex-smokers to avoid relapsing into their addiction. 

Most French health insurance providers do however offer a "Smoking Cessation" package, which allows beneficiaries to enjoy a reimbursement of part of the expenses they allocate to nicotine substitutes: patches, chewing gums, tablets, etc. On the other hand, very few health insurance providers include the e-cigarette in their packages. Indeed, and contrary to what can be found on the internet, only a handful of health insurance providers have taken the initiative to offer reimbursement for the e-cigarette and vaping products, on the same basis as other nicotine substitutes. To find out the exact reimbursement terms, it is necessary to check with the various providers that offer it. Indeed, some health insurance providers may only cover e-liquids containing nicotine, and not the e-cigarette itself, while others may also cover the costs related to equipment purchases. In most cases, health insurance providers offer an annual flat-rate reimbursement of between €40 and €150 depending on the type of contract chosen. These amounts are however given as indicative figures, and it is preferable to make sure you meet all the conditions to be eligible for a proper reimbursement. 

Among the few health insurance providers that reimburse the e-cigarette in 2023, we notably find: 

Last updated on February 10, 2023. Average reimbursement observed; please check your health insurance contract.

Why do health insurance providers reimburse? 

The need to reimburse vaping products stems initially from the democratization of measures relating to the reimbursement of nicotine substitutes. Indeed, since 2007, social security has covered part of the annual expenses related to smoking cessation products (patches, chewing gums, tablets, etc.). More recently in 2018, the trend gained further ground, as the government decided to reimburse 65% of all medication-based smoking cessation treatments. Still in the same spirit, reimbursements from the Health Insurance Fund concerning these substitutes have no longer been capped at €150 per year since January 1, 2019. Although it is not yet officially recognized as a full nicotine substitute in its own right, the e-cigarette is nonetheless demonstrating all of its benefits. 

Indeed, a number of recent studies have revealed that the e-cigarette is unquestionably the best way to quit smoking. A study conducted in 2019 shows that the e-cigarette is twice as effective as other substitutes for quitting smoking. As a result, health insurance providers quickly realized that it was in their best interest to make this smoking cessation solution more accessible to consumers, if they wanted to reduce their expenses — in particular by avoiding having to cover the costs related to the many diseases caused by tobacco consumption. 

Furthermore, and in addition to being beneficial for health insurance providers, the reimbursement of the e-cigarette could also be a windfall for the government. Indeed, and contrary to what many people think, tobacco actually costs the French government far more than it brings in. While tobacco revenues are estimated at over 16 billion euros for the year 2020, the costly and generally lengthy care provided to patients suffering from tobacco-related illnesses, prevention campaigns, and the loss of productivity caused by the proportion of smoking employees in companies, represent an annual amount of nearly 120 billion euros per year — a figure that the revenues are far from covering!

How to get reimbursed by your health insurance provider? 

To do so, it is generally necessary to subscribe to an option not covered by social security (e.g.: osteopathy, dietetics, etc.). To find out whether you are eligible for this flat-rate benefit, contact your health insurance provider. If it does indeed cover the reimbursement, purchase your vaping equipment and e-liquid refills from a professional such as LVD. Then, once your order has been placed, print your invoice and send it to your health insurance provider to get reimbursed. Don't forget to also request a medical prescription from your doctor, which will most often be required by your health insurance provider! 

What does it mean to be a Vapoteur Discount customer? 

Being a customer of Vapoteur Discount means the guarantee of buying at the best price and benefiting from an optimal quality service.
Feel free to check out our article about the location of the e-cigarette and e-liquid shop Le Vapoteur Discount!

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