Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Of course, even without the additional coverage, the
costs for doctor visits, exams, surgery, and medication are
remarkably low and will be reimbursed as much as 80% by
the system. However, getting the additional insurance may
be a good idea. It is surprisingly inexpensive (supplemental
student health insurance packages, for example, can cost
as little as 10 euros a month) and no one will ask you any
questions about pre-existing conditions. With this additional
coverage, many of your medical expenses will now be
reimbursed 100% or close to it. But perhaps even more
importantly, the insurance company will act as a friendly
intermediary between you and the larger “Assurance
Maladie” system.
Do keep in mind that paperwork and bureaucracy take
time. It is a good idea to keep the insurance from your home
country active until you're sure you're fully enrolled in the
French health system.
If you will be living in France for any length of time, it is
also important to i ll out a short form declaring a “médecin
traitant” (primary doctor) and hand it in at a “Centre de
Service de l'Assurance Maladie” (or at the ofi ce of your
insurance company if you have gone the route of signing up for
supplemental insurance). Your “médecin traitant” can be any
general practitioner you encounter during your French medical
adventures. Simply get his signature on the form, and he will
be recognised by the system as your primary doctor. Patients
are encouraged to have one doctor in particular declared as
the “médecin traitant” because this person will be responsible
for referring you to specialists and coordinating your larger
medical proi le. In short, it helps speed things along. If you
neglect to declare a primary doctor, you will have to pay pesky
i nes each time you do anything within the system.
What do you do if you don't have a Carte Vitale, let alone
supplemental insurance or an established primary doctor
in France?
Your i rst line of medical advice will be the pharmacies
displaying the green cross. They have medical training in
common problems and can prescribe medicines based
on your symptoms, and recommend a doctor in the
Search WWH ::
Custom Search