Healthcare

European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland: If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005.

Doctors, dentists and prescriptions: Travellers should make sure the doctor or dentist they consult is conventionne - i.e. they work within the French health system. After treatment, obtain a signed statement of the treatment given (a feuille de soins) as you cannot claim a refund without it. You will be charged for the treatment you receive, as well as for any prescribed medicines, and the amount(s) should be shown on the feuille de soins. Around 75 per cent of standard doctors’ and dentists’ fees are refunded, and between 35 and 65 per cent of the cost of most prescribed medicines. The cost of common remedies and items such as bandages are refunded at the lower rate. The cost of medicines marked with a /\ vignette or N.R. is not recoverable.

Hospital treatment: Travellers must pay for out-patient treatment and then claim a partial refund from the local Sickness Insurance Office (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance-Maladie or CPAM). If you are treated as an in-patient in an approved hospital and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), the office will pay 75 per cent or more of the cost direct to the hospital. You pay the balance. You must also pay a fixed daily hospital charge (forfait journalier). The 25 per cent balance and the forfait journalier are non-refundable.

Local Sickness Insurance Offices handle reimbursements. Travellers should send their application for a refund (the feuille de soins and any prescriptions) to the nearest Sickness Insurance Office while still in France. The refund will be sent to their home address later, but it may be subject to a bank charge. Before sending the money order, the French authorities will send an itemised statement of the amount to be refunded. This refund process normally takes around two months. When you are obtaining prescribed medicines, the pharmacist will hand you back your prescription and you should attach it to the feuille de soins in order to claim a refund.

Medicine containers also carry detachable labels (vignettes), showing the name and price of the contents. Stick these in the appropriate place on the feuille de soins, and sign and date the form at the end. There are a wide network of pharmacies in most towns. Although, their hours of business are usually the same as for stores. The standard of medical facilities and practitioners in France is very high but so are the fees, and health insurance is recommended. More information can be obtained from the Centre des Liaisons Europeennes et Internationales de Securite Sociale (CLEISS), 11 rue de la Tour des Dames 75436 Paris Cedex 09.