Fusion Vital card – Identity card: everything you need to know

Merger identity card – vital card: project history

Wishing to strengthen the effectiveness of existing systems to combat fraud, the public authorities entrusted at the beginning of 2023 a mission to the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (IGAS) and the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF). Objective: compare different scenarios, in particular the Implementation of a biometric vital card or the merger of the identity card with the vital card.

The biometric vital card project was finally ruled out, deemed far too expensive by the social affairs inspection and the General Inspectorate of Finance.

Other factors have also been pointed out: the sensitivity of the data involved; significant risks in the event of a computer attack; Deployment difficulties among health professionals, who should be equipped with biometric control devices and implement them … without forgetting that these professionals are not inclined to take the fingerprints of their patients.

Finally, it was pointed out that the ability to entrust a vital card to a third party should be maintained, in particular to take into account the specific situations of certain insured: for example, caregivers.

The government therefore naturally turned to the scenario of a Fusion Vital card – Identity card.

What are the challenges of merger Vital card – Identity card?

The objective of this measure is the fight against social fraudthe amount of which is estimated between 6 and 8 billion euros per year in France.

Indeed, Merge the vital card and the identity card would make it possible to check directly whether or not the patient may benefit from a care refund. A verification carried out in real time on the screen of the health professional. In the event of a defect, the person concerned can always be treated, but they will have to settle the fees itself. The project also provides for reinforced penalties, with an increase in management fees of around 10 %.

Technically, This new card should contain a compartmentalized chip, with a space dedicated to civil status and a second reserved for the social security number. As for its deployment, no calendar has been revealed at present. The transition will be envisaged when the deadlines for obtaining identity cards and passports, particularly long for some time, will return to normal.

Finally, financially, The merger of the national identity card and the vital card should not represent a major costaccording to Bercy. It could even cause savings, because it will no longer be necessary to produce the two cards separately.

Health insurance objections

Despite the arguments presented by the government, The merger project identity card – vital card is controversial.

After Thomas Fatôme, director general of the CNAM (General Health Insurance Fund)the interest of this measure in the fight against fraud remains to be demonstrated. Indeed, fraud linked to an abusive use of the vital card represents an anecdotal amount.

The very admission of Gabriel Attal, The insured are the source of 30 % of the diversionswhile 70 % of scams are the work of health professionals. The Minister also quotes, as examples, dental and ophthalmological health centers which overflow acts, but also pharmacies which carry out false antigenic tests.

Furthermore, Identity fraud, in which a person uses another card, is residual Compared to the most important positions: namely, fraud to sick leave and fraud with complementary solidarity health, which are not affected by the vital card.

CNIL's reluctance

Hearing as part of the IGAS and IGF mission, the National Commission for Data Protection expressed his position in a letter dated March 13, 2023.

Verdict: The CNIL considered that the scenario aimed at integrating the social security number (NIR) into the identity card constitutes the least intrusive and the least risky solution. However, it has issued several recommendations to ensure the protection of personal patient data.

First, The social security number should not be written on the map (even in the form of QR code), but well inscribed in the electronic chip within a partitioned compartment. In this way, it can only be read by health professionals.

Moreover, specific security measures must be deployed for Guarantee the confidentiality of the NIR. Anyone accessing the social security number, especially when creating the identity card, will have to be subject to professional secrecy.

Finally, the vital card not being compulsory, the law must provide for the possibility for a citizen to oppose the registration of his NIR on his identity document.

Despite his interest in the fight against social fraud, the merger card vital – identity card is the subject of criticism and raises important data protection issues. In this context, a prefiguration mission was launched in early July in order to specify the legal and technical implementation of this measure.