Why it matters Once you’re registered with French social security, you’re expected to nominate a “médecin traitant,” the equivalent of a GP in the UK. It sounds like a formality. It isn’t. Skip this step and every consultation with a specialist gets reimbursed at a much lower rate — typically 30% instead of 70%. Most…
p Same consultation, different fees? If you’ve looked for a specialist in France, you may have noticed that consultation fees aren’t always the same. One reason is that doctors practise under different fee arrangements called Secteur 1 and Secteur 2. Understanding the difference A Secteur 1 doctor has agreed to charge the official consultation fees…
For most people in France, the Carte Vitale is simply part of everyday life. You hand it over at the doctor’s surgery, pharmacy or hospital, and your healthcare reimbursements are processed automatically. For most of us, there are no annual forms and no annual renewal. . So, do “inactive” foreigners really have to renew it…
One of the biggest surprises for many newcomers is that French healthcare isn’t entirely free. While the state health system (Assurance Maladie) reimburses a significant proportion of medical costs and prescriptions, it doesn’t usually cover everything. That’s why most French people choose to have a mutuelle (complementary health insurance). It isn’t obligatory for everyone —…