THE MEDECIN TRAITANT

Since January 2006, everyone in France who holds a carte vitale must choose a primary doctor (médecin traitant) in order to continue receiving the maximum level of reimbursement.

If you have not nominated a médecin traitant you will only be reimbursed 50% of your medical costs.

Under the new system, each patient chooses one doctor, who is responsible for drafting their health plan (parcours de soin). The primary doctor compiles records on any treatment undertaken and refers patients for further specialist treatment if required. If you require emergency care, or treatment whilst travelling around France, you are not required to see your médecin traitant first.

Your médecin traitant can be any doctor as long as they are a médecin conventionné. To register with a médecin traitant, you need to fill out the form S3704, available to download from the Assurance Maladie website. You can change your médecin traitant at any time and for any reason by completing a new form.

If you need help finding an English-speaking doctor in France you can join a non-profit organisation called the International Medical Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers. The organization maintains contacts with medical professionals in more than 125 countries and will help you to find an English-speaking doctor in your area.