The French government has proposed a new rule that limits the maximum length of work absences for individuals with certain health conditions, including depression and musculoskeletal disorders, to one year. This change, set to take effect on October 1, 2026, was outlined in two draft decrees reviewed by BFM Business and sent for feedback to the advisory bodies of the National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam). The rule applies to patients classified under the long-term illness (ALD) status "non-exempting." These individuals experience work interruptions lasting more than six months but do not qualify for the "100% Secu" benefit, which is reserved for more severe conditions like cancer, diabetes, or heart failure. Examples of non-exempting ALD conditions include complex shoulder fractures with infection or mild depression after the loss of a close relative. Patients in this category receive compensation based on standard legal rules rather than the full reimbursement rates of the Secu. In contrast, individuals under the "exempting" ALD status receive full reimbursement for their care at 100% of the standard reimbursement rates (excluding additional fees for medical services) and are allowed a longer maximum work absence, capped at three years. This decision comes as part of a broader government strategy to reduce work absenteeism, announced by the Ministry of Health in April. The plan focuses on addressing conditions such as anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal disorders. It includes proposals like requiring a mandatory second medical opinion before a work absence is prescribed, which may be considered in the upcoming Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) for 2027. In an interview with Le Parisien on August 29, the Prime Minister emphasized his commitment to reducing the rising number of work absences, which he said are becoming increasingly costly to the health insurance system. He noted that "too many abuses undermine the support of work absences for those who are really sick," pointing to a significant rise in what he described as "abuses" in recent years. In 2025, the Secu spent 12.1 billion euros on daily allowances for workers on leave, plus an additional 5.8 billion euros on work-related accidents and diseases. This represents a 65% increase in total costs since 2016. This is not the first time the government has attempted to address the issue. On September 1, the maximum duration for "classic" work absences was set to one month, as outlined in the Secu budget for 2026. Last year, the daily allowance cap was reduced from 1.8 to 1.4 times the minimum wage. In 2024, regulations were introduced to better control work absences prescribed via teleconsultation. These measures reflect an ongoing effort to manage the financial burden of work absences while ensuring support for those genuinely in need.