Germany & France Full Medical Insurance Policy for Electric Wheelchairs: ELESMART's Policy Dividend Window

As Europe's aging population deepens, Germany and France have successively launched "full medical insurance reimbursement policies for electric wheelchairs", completely breaking down the consumption barriers for users. From Germany's statutory health insurance system with "end-to-end coverage" to France's 2025 new policy featuring "100% reimbursement with zero out-of-pocket costs", these policies not only bring tangible benefits to local residents but also open an unprecedented window of policy dividends for brands like ELESMART that specialize in electric wheelchair attachments.

1. Germany: Statutory Health Insurance's "All-Round Reimbursement" – A Direct Boon for Electric Attachments

Germany's statutory health insurance (GKV) system is a benchmark for social welfare in Europe. Its reimbursement policies for electric wheelchairs and assistive devices are characterized by "high coverage, low thresholds, and full-process protection", which perfectly aligns with ELESMART's product positioning.

1. Reimbursement Threshold: Flexible "Medical Necessity" Criteria, Covering Diverse Daily Scenarios

Under Germany's Social Code Book V (SGB V), users can apply for medical insurance reimbursement as long as they obtain a "medical necessity certificate" from their general practitioner or rehabilitation doctor. The eligibility criteria are not limited to severe disabilities but cover a variety of daily situations:

• Shoulder or hand pain caused by pushing a manual wheelchair (common among arthritis patients or stroke survivors);Safety risks when pushing a manual wheelchair in ramp-equipped living environments;Frequent outings for medical appointments, shopping, or social activities where manual wheelchairs lack sufficient range.

Most importantly, Germany's health insurance explicitly includes "electric wheelchair attachments" in its reimbursement scope. If a user already owns a manual wheelchair, doctors can directly certify the "necessity of electrification upgrades" – there's no mandatory requirement to purchase a brand-new electric wheelchair. This perfectly matches ELESMART's philosophy of "low-cost upgrades without wasting existing equipment".

1. Reimbursement Scope: Equipment + Installation + Maintenance – Full-Chain Cost Coverage

It's no exaggeration to describe Germany's reimbursement for electric attachments as "nanny-level" – almost all costs from equipment purchase to subsequent use are covered:

• Equipment costs: 100% reimbursement based on the actual market price with no upper limit, applicable to all ELESMART product lines;Installation and commissioning: 100% reimbursement for on-site installation and equipment debugging fees. Insurance-cooperating service providers directly coordinate with the brand, so users pay nothing extra;Subsequent maintenance: Free battery replacement every 3 years, reimbursement for wear-and-tear parts like tires every 2 years, and full coverage of annual inspection fees.

1. Family Benefits: "One Insured, Whole Family Covered" – Lowering the Bar for Seniors

Germany's "family insurance" policy further reduces the threshold for elderly users. If the parents of an insured person (e.g., a working child) have no income or a monthly income below 450 euros, they can join the child's health insurance plan for free and share the reimbursement benefits. This means that elderly Germans without independent income can still apply for ELESMART products through their children's insurance accounts, paying absolutely nothing out of pocket.

1. France: 2025 New Policy Takes Effect – Full Reimbursement & Streamlined Processes

On December 1, 2025, France's "new full reimbursement policy for wheelchairs" officially came into effect, completely changing the previous situation of "partial reimbursement with high out-of-pocket ratios". The policy's intensity is among the highest in Europe, directly activating a huge pool of potential demand. What's more, this period coincides with France's "welfare month" – in addition to wheelchair reimbursement, a series of people-friendly policies such as Christmas allowances and expanded childcare subsidies are being rolled out simultaneously, boosting public acceptance and policy implementation efficiency.

1. Reimbursement Intensity: From "Capped" to "Full" – Zero Out-of-Pocket, No Upper Limit

Before the new policy, France's health insurance had a maximum reimbursement limit of only 5,200 euros for electric wheelchairs, requiring users to pay 30%-60% of the cost themselves. But starting December 1, 2025, all wheelchair-related products that meet medical needs – including manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and electric wheelchair attachments – are eligible for 100% full reimbursement with no price ceiling. Note that this policy only applies to reimbursement applications submitted on or after December 1.

In practical terms, this means users can purchase ELESMART's electric attachments without paying a cent, completely resolving the pain point of "wanting to buy but finding it too expensive". Data from France's Social Security Administration shows an immediate impact: shortly after the policy took effect, applications for wheelchair-related products increased by 42% month-on-month, with electric attachments seeing the fastest growth at a staggering 68%.

1. Process Optimization: 7-Day Fast Approval + One-Stop Service – No More Tedious Procedures

Previously, applying for wheelchair reimbursement in France involved 4 steps and took 1-2 months. Many elderly people gave up applying due to the cumbersome process. After the new policy was launched, France set up "one-stop wheelchair reimbursement service counters" in all 36 regions. Users only need to bring the "medical necessity certificate" issued by their doctor to complete all procedures – including insurance application, equipment selection, and supplier coordination – in one go. The fastest time to receive the equipment is just 7 days.

In addition, France has opened an online application channel. Users can upload materials through the social security app, achieving "zero on-site visits" for processing. This is a huge convenience for elderly users who are not good at handling procedures, greatly increasing their willingness to apply.

1. Expanded Coverage: From "Severe Disabilities" to "Mild Impairments" – 25% More Beneficiaries

In the past, France's wheelchair reimbursement mainly targeted people with severe disabilities, such as those with spinal cord injuries. The new policy expands coverage to include people with mild mobility impairments, such as the elderly with walking difficulties due to osteoporosis and patients in post-operative rehabilitation who need assistive mobility. This adjustment increased the number of beneficiaries from 800,000 to 1 million, directly driving a 25% growth in demand for electric wheelchair attachments.

III. ELESMART Under Policy Dividends: Precisely Meeting German & French User Needs

Essentially, the full medical insurance policies in Germany and France have opened a "policy window" for ELESMART. For German users, ELESMART's 16kg lightweight design and 99% pre-assembled feature are particularly suitable for the "independent living" needs of the elderly, allowing them to complete installation and storage without family assistance. For French users, the modular design that flexibly switches between manual and electric modes perfectly fits their community lifestyle of frequent outings.

More importantly, ELESMART has obtained CE certification and complies with EU MDR regulations, fully meeting the compliance requirements of German and French medical insurance. Users can directly apply for reimbursement with a doctor's certificate without preparing additional compliance materials. As these policies continue to take root in both countries, and with Italy, Spain, and other countries planning to follow suit with similar policies, ELESMART is well-positioned to leverage this wave of policy dividends to quickly capture key European markets and become the preferred brand for local users seeking to electrify their wheelchairs.