Are probiotics covered by social security?

If you regularly consume probiotics for your digestive comfort or on the advice of your pharmacist, the question of their financial coverage legitimately arises.

Reimbursement for probiotics: the general rule explained

To understand the logic behind the reimbursement of probiotics, it is essential to distinguish between two categories of products that are completely opposed from a regulatory point of view: medicines and food supplements .

Only products classified as medicines can, under certain conditions, be covered by French National Health Insurance. Almost all probiotics found in pharmacies or drugstores fall into the second category , which explains why they are not reimbursed ( source: AMELI ).

The distinction between medicine and food supplement

A probiotic medicine is a product that has proven its therapeutic efficacy for a specific condition through rigorous clinical studies. It has obtained Marketing Authorization (MA) and can only be dispensed with a medical prescription.

Conversely, a probiotic-based food supplement is considered a food product. Its purpose is to complement a normal diet and maintain physiological balance, such as that of the gut flora, but it cannot claim any therapeutic effect to treat or prevent disease.

The product status determines coverage

The following table summarizes the differences that directly influence the possibility of reimbursement by Social Security.

Criteria	Probiotic medicine	Probiotic food supplement
Regulatory status	Medicine	Foodstuff
Prescription	Required for reimbursement	Not required (available for purchase without a prescription)
Marketing Authorisation (MA)	Yes, mandatory	No
Social Security Reimbursement	Possible under certain conditions	Never

Why are most probiotics not reimbursed?

As you will have understood, the vast majority of probiotics available on the market do not meet the strict criteria for reimbursable medicine .

Their status as food supplements excludes them by definition from the social security system, even if they are recommended by health professionals for their benefits on the microbiota .

The case of food supplements sold in pharmacies

The confusion often arises from the fact that many well-known probiotic brands, such as Lactibiane, are sold in pharmacies.

However, their presence in pharmacies does not give them the status of a medicine. They are food supplements , which can be sold freely and whose price is not regulated.

Their aim is to support the balance of the gut flora, but they do not have the marketing authorization required for reimbursement. Therefore, their purchase remains entirely at your expense.

Purchasing over-the-counter products online or in stores

Any probiotic purchased on your own initiative , whether in a pharmacy, on a website or in a supermarket, is not eligible for reimbursement from Health Insurance.

The reimbursement process is highly regulated : it requires a medical prescription for a specific medication, which is then presented to the pharmacist. While the pharmacist's advice is valuable, it does not replace a medical prescription for initiating coverage.

Alternative coverage through your health insurance

While social security rarely reimburses probiotics, your supplementary health insurance may be an interesting solution to reduce your costs.

More and more health insurance contracts include packages dedicated to prevention and well-being, which cover expenses not covered by the general scheme.

How the prevention or well-being package works

Some health insurance companies offer an annual allowance , expressed in euros (for example, €100 per year per beneficiary), intended to cover alternative healthcare costs. This allowance may include the purchase of prescribed or non-prescription dietary supplements , self-medication, or sessions with alternative medicine practitioners.

Probiotics often fall into this category. Reimbursement is made upon presentation of a paid invoice from the pharmacy, bearing the patient's name, until the allocated amount for the year is exhausted.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Will the drug Ultralevure be covered by social security in 2025?

Yes, in 2025, Ultralevure is one of the few probiotics with the status of a medicine . It is indicated as an adjunct treatment for diarrhea and can be reimbursed by Social Security at a rate of 15% based on a medical prescription, its Medical Benefit being considered low.

Can my doctor prescribe me probiotics that are not covered by insurance?

Yes, a doctor can certainly prescribe probiotics, which are dietary supplements, if they deem them appropriate for your situation. However, this prescription will not entitle you to reimbursement from Social Security. It may, however, be useful for a claim with your supplemental health insurance provider.

How can I find out if my health insurance plan offers coverage for food supplements?

To verify this information, consult the benefits table in your supplemental health insurance policy. Look for lines titled "Prevention Package," "Wellness," "Alternative Medicine," or "Non-Reimbursed Pharmacy." If you have any doubts, the most reliable way is to contact your health insurance advisor directly.

Are probiotics for children better reimbursed?

No, the reimbursement rules are the same for adults and children. Coverage does not depend on the patient's age but solely on the regulatory status of the product: a prescription drug with a marketing authorization (MA) can be reimbursed, but a food supplement will never be reimbursed by the national health insurance.

Does the reimbursement depend on the strain of the probiotic?

Indirectly, yes. A specific probiotic strain , whose efficacy has been proven by clinical studies for a given condition, can allow a product to obtain drug status. It is this drug status, and not the strain itself, that determines eligibility for reimbursement.

Is there an official list of probiotics that are covered by health insurance?

There is no specific list of "reimbursed probiotics." There is a list of medications covered by national health insurance, but it includes a very small number of probiotic products. The vast majority of probiotics on the market are not included.

Want to continue reading? Discover more about the duration of a course of probiotics , the difference between probiotics and prebiotics , or the side effects of probiotics .