Healthcare in Paris
The French medical system with its public insurance Sécurité Sociale has been rated as the best in the world by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The system provides universal healthcare, and is funded on tax contributions from salary deductions. The solidarity principle means that the more serious an illness is the less the patient pays. For most procedures the state covers 70 percent of the cost and there are private medical schemes for the remaining 30 percent. For treatment of serious diseases, for example bowel cancer, heart surgery or diabetes, the state will cover 100 percent of costs, including medication and hospitalization.
A European Health Insurance Card is enough to gain access to the French Medical system, but for persons who arrive from outside the EU medical costs can be prohibitive without insurance. For expats, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private medical insurers until a permanent residency is gained. Once the residency is granted then the state will pay for any medical expenses incurred.
The French system gives the patient choice in which doctor they attend, but one must stay with that doctor to get the highest level of compensation. If a specialist is consulted without a referral the state will lower its level of contribution. The exceptions are professionals such as psychiatrists and dentists. It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and only reimbursed by the government later.
Central Paris houses the Hospital de la Pitie Salpetriere, which 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.
A European Health Insurance Card is enough to gain access to the French Medical system, but for persons who arrive from outside the EU medical costs can be prohibitive without insurance. For expats, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private medical insurers until a permanent residency is gained. Once the residency is granted then the state will pay for any medical expenses incurred.
The French system gives the patient choice in which doctor they attend, but one must stay with that doctor to get the highest level of compensation. If a specialist is consulted without a referral the state will lower its level of contribution. The exceptions are professionals such as psychiatrists and dentists. It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and only reimbursed by the government later.
Central Paris houses the Hospital de la Pitie Salpetriere, which 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.
Centre des Liaisons Europeennes et Internationales de Securite Sociale (CLEISS)
11 rue de la Tour des Dames
75436 Paris Cedex 09
Tel: 1 45 26 33 41
11 rue de la Tour des Dames
75436 Paris Cedex 09
Tel: 1 45 26 33 41
The emergency service in Paris is called SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d’Urgence ) and the emergency number is 112. The fire service (pompiers) can be called for any emergency by dialling 18.
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