About healthcare cover

Everyone living in France must have healthcare cover to cover them if they receive medical treatment (doctors, medication, hospitalization, etc.).

Depending on your situation, you may be covered by the French Social Security system or you may have to take out private insurance.
The Social Security only reimburses part of your healthcare costs, it is recommended that you also take out supplementary healthcare coverage.

For more information about supplementary healthcare cover and private insurance.

Below, you will find information explaining the healthcare system in France.

Even if you are covered by the basic social security system, you must pay the full fee at the end of a doctor's appointment. If you do not yet have your *Carte Vitale*, the healthcare professional can provide you with a paper treatment form (*feuille de soins*) or submit the claim electronically. If you receive a paper form, you must send it to your local health insurance office (CPAM) to obtain reimbursement.

Health insurance covers only a portion of your costs. The reimbursement rate varies depending on the medical procedures performed and the rates established by the health insurance system for each type of care. Prescription medication is covered at rates ranging from 15% to 65%, depending on the specific drug.

Since health insurance covers only part of the costs, we strongly recommend taking out supplementary health insurance (*mutuelle*), especially if you have children or specific needs (such as glasses, dental care, or prostheses). This insurance supplements the basic health insurance reimbursement and helps you avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses for costly treatments (such as hospitalization or dental work).
For more information about reimbursement by the French National Health Service.
More information about additional healthcare cover.

IMPORTANT - Please note:

• In order to benefit from the maximum reimbursement rate provided by the health service, you must declare a primary care physician with the CPAM who will be your main doctor.
• Warning: not all general practitioners charge the same fees. You will receive a better reimbursement rate from the CPAM if you select a sector 1 registered doctor. Please consult the health directory to find out about the fees charged by your doctor.

In France, anyone is free to choose which doctor to consult. General practitioners can be consulted for any health issue. If your health problem is more specific, you may consult a specialist. However, the French healthcare pathway requires a general practitioner to provide the referral for the initial specialist consultation. Certain specialists—specifically gynecologists, ophthalmologists, psychiatrists (in certain situations), and stomatologists—can be consulted directly without going through your primary care physician.
In France, there are two types of practitioners (both general and specialist):

• Contracted doctors: these are physicians who have entered into an agreement with the national health insurance system (Assurance Maladie). This category encompasses the majority of doctors. Individuals covered by the national health insurance system—or by private health insurance that bases reimbursements on national health insurance rates—will receive better reimbursement if they consult this type of practitioner.
• Non-contracted doctors: These doctors have not signed an agreement with the national health insurance system. Consequently, you will not be reimbursed by that body. However, your supplementary or private health insurance may potentially cover these expenses.

On the health service website AMELI, you will find a directory of doctors and specialists as well as the sector they are affiliated with to help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

You can also search for doctors and specialists on the Doctolib website based on their area of ​​expertise and your city of residence. You can filter results by the languages ​​spoken. Each professional's fee classification is indicated on their profile, and you can also book appointments online.

For more information about the role of the primary care physician and the coordinated care pathway.

In France, medication can only be sold in pharmacies. There are two different types of medication:

• Over-the-counter medicines: these medications, sold in pharmacies, do not require a doctor's prescription. Your pharmacist can advise you on purchasing them if you are ill or injured and have been unable to see a doctor. These medicines are not reimbursed by the health insurance system. Their prices may vary from one pharmacy to another.
• Prescription medicines: these medicines can only be sold if the person presents a medical prescription issued by a doctor to the pharmacist. They are reimbursed by the health insurance system, though the reimbursement rate varies.

SOS médecins Lyon can provide emergency home visits (a supplement is charged for the call out as well as for nights and weekends).

Phone number: +33 (0)4.78.83.51.51

For more information: https://sos-medecin-lyon.fr/
In France, pharmacies are generally open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hours vary depending on the pharmacy).
In France, there is an on-call pharmacy system which allows you to obtain medicines in the event of a medical emergency outside pharmacy opening hours and on public holidays. The cost of medications purchased in an on-call pharmacy may be higher.
For more information about out-of-hours pharmacies in Lyon. or out-of-hours pharmacies in Saint Etienne.

The French hospital system consists of public hospitals and private hospitals (clinics). Public hospitals, as well as certain accredited private clinics, have agreements with the national health insurance system. The terms of coverage depend more on your personal situation and health insurance coverage than on whether the facility is public or private.

Consult the list of public hospitals in Lyon
Consult the list of public hospitals in Saint-Étienne

Emergency departments in hospitals are very busy, if you need a general practitioner, outside the opening hours of their offices (evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays), you can contact out-of-hours medical centers.

Important: You must make an appointment by calling 116 117 or +33 (0)4 72 33 00 33 and visit the out-of-hours medical center indicated.
Les Maisons Médicales de Garde sur Lyon.
La Maison Médicale sur Saint Etienne.
 
SOS Médecins Lyon can handle home-visit emergencies (a surcharge applies for the visit, as well as for night and weekend calls).

Phone number: +33 (0)4.78.83.51.51

For more information : https://sos-medecin-lyon.fr/
 

 

In the event of an emergency: call 15 or 112
SAMU (ambulance and emergency medical services): 15
Emergency number: 112 (can be used throughout the European Union)

 

"Mon espace santé" is a new initiative from the French Health Insurance system and the Ministry of Health that empowers individuals to take an active role in managing their day-to-day health.
This new digital service enables users to retain control over their health data and securely store and share—with their healthcare professionals—all documents and information relevant to their medical care. Beyond just a medical record, the service will provide access to a secure health messaging system and, eventually, a medical calendar, as well as a catalog of health services and applications vetted by public authorities.

For more information about "mon espace santé".
To activate your account on "mon espace santé".

Your healthcare cover in France

Depending on your situation, please check your healthcare cover options during your stay in France:

• Researchers with a “Passeport talent” visa or “Scientifique-chercheur” (Research scientist) visa and their family
• European researchers and their family
• PhD students with an “Etudiant” (Student) visa and their family
• European PhD students and their family

Université de Lyon health campaign
The Université de Lyon has partnered with its institutions, the Crous de Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region to launch a portal containing all the information, procedures, services and contacts students need to better take care of their physical and mental health.
Link to the Université de Lyon’s health portal