Healthcare in France
Rated as the best in the world by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the French medical system is funded by public insurance. Sécurité Sociale, provides universal healthcare, and is funded on tax contributions from salary deductions. The state covers 70 percent of cost of treatment, and there are a number of private mutual funds that cover the remaining 30 percent. For treatment of serious diseases, for example heart surgery, bowel cancer, or diabetes, the state will cover 100 percent of costs, including medication and hospitalization. The more serious an illness one has less the patient pays.
The choice of doctor is left up to the patient, but going to the same doctor will assure higher compensation for social security. It is important to remember that a referral must be gained before a specialist is consulted or the state will lower its lever of contribution. Professionals such as psychiatrists and dentists are the exceptions. It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and are only later reimbursed.
The Hospital de la Pitie Salpetriere in central Paris is a world renowned institution. For those whose French is poor The American Hospital of Paris on the Western periphery is recommended as most of the staff speak English.
European Health Insurance Card(EHIC) and a residency permit allow access to the French Medical system. Without insurance, persons who arrive from outside the EU will find medical costs can be prohibitive. For expats, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private mutual funds until a residency permit is granted.
The Paris emergency service is called SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d’Urgence ) and is available at number is 112. The fire service (pompiers) can be called for any emergency at 18.
The choice of doctor is left up to the patient, but going to the same doctor will assure higher compensation for social security. It is important to remember that a referral must be gained before a specialist is consulted or the state will lower its lever of contribution. Professionals such as psychiatrists and dentists are the exceptions. It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and are only later reimbursed.The Hospital de la Pitie Salpetriere in central Paris is a world renowned institution. For those whose French is poor The American Hospital of Paris on the Western periphery is recommended as most of the staff speak English.
European Health Insurance Card(EHIC) and a residency permit allow access to the French Medical system. Without insurance, persons who arrive from outside the EU will find medical costs can be prohibitive. For expats, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private mutual funds until a residency permit is granted.
The Paris emergency service is called SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d’Urgence ) and is available at number is 112. The fire service (pompiers) can be called for any emergency at 18.
Healthcare overview from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_France
English Organizational Guide: www.wice-paris.org
Private Insurance Portal: www.ameli.fr
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