9. Receiving Medical Treatment in France

In the following section we outline the procedures, fee levels, and reimbursements for different types of medical care.

1. 9.1. General Practitioners
2. 9.2. Consultants
3. 9.3. Prescriptions
4. 9.4. Emergency Treatment
5. 9.5. Hospital Treatment
6. 9.6. Maternity Care

9.1. General Practitioners in France - Médecins Généralistes

Before you can receive treatment (other than in an emergency!) you need to register with a doctor.

As we outlined in Section 6, the process of registering with a doctor commences when you join the health system, normally through your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) if you are 'non-active'. They will give you a form to complete, which should be returned via your doctor when you make a visit.

Until you obtain your health insurance card (carte vitale) you will be given a receipt (feuille de soins) by your doctor when you pay for medical services.

The doctor will also issue you with a prescription that you should take to the chemist to obtain your medicines.

The chemist should attach sticky labels on your feuille that gives details of the cost of the medicine. If the chemist does not do it, you will find the labels on the medicine containers and you need to do it yourself.

You will need to take both the feuille, the prescription and your attestation (or European Health Insurance Card details) to your local CPAM for reimbursement. The feuille de soins will need to be signed by you.

The charging policy for GPs is fairly straightforward.

You will receive reimbursement through the social security system at the standard rate of 70% - €15.40, less the €1 surcharge paid by you - €14,40. This leaves €7.60 to be funded through your voluntary insurance policy.

If you need to receive a home visit from your doctor, then a higher charge will apply. The basic charge is €32, but it is higher for unsocial hours and holidays. The social security system will reimburse 70% of these charges, less the €1 surcharge.

You will only receive the full reimbursement if it is considered by the GP that by virtue of your age or medial condition a home visit is warranted. Where you merely ask for a home visit because it is more convenient to you, you will only receive reimbursement at the standard rate, i.e. 70% of €22, less €1.