Health system
People holding an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have access to healthcare in France without having to complete any formalities with the local French authorities. As regards the services provided, they will be treated in the same manner as anyone covered under the French state system.
Benefits in kind include medical care, medicines, dental care and prosthetics, hospitalization, laboratory analyses, and examinations, or transportation.
Before making an appointment with a doctor or dentist, make sure that they are conventionné. Conventionné practitioners fall into one of 2 categories:
- Conventionné (Secteur 1): The practitioner fully adheres to the national agreement between practitioners and the French social security system and charges the official social security rate.
- Conventionné (Secteur 2): The practitioner adheres to the national agreement between practitioners and the French social security system except with regard to fees and is free to set his/her own rates.
In both cases, the local CPAM (or CGSS) will reimburse a fixed portion of the official social security rate. You can check the website Annuaire santé to locate a facility and find information on its rates.
If you need information about your French health insurance rights, you can contact the special Advice Line provided by Ameli: French health insurance agency (Assurance maladie, in French).