Pharmacies & Prescriptions
If you are on a prescription you will normally be able to have your prescription
filled from a French pharmacy although you may be provided with a different
brand or alternative if the exact product does not exist here.
Different countries class different products differently and some over the
counter drugs that you get in your home country may require a prescription
in France. It would be sensible to bring a stock of products with you for
the first month or two as well as copies of your medical records.
| English Speaking Pharmacies | |
| British and American, 1 rue Auber 75009 Paris, Tel: 01 47 42 49 40 |
Cypel (Anglo-American), 37 Ave Marceau 75016 Paris, Tel: 01 47 20 57 37 |
| SNC (British), 62 Ave des Champs Elysées 75008 Paris, Tel: 01 43 59 22 52 |
Swam (Anglo-American), 6 rue de Castiglione 75001 Paris, Tel: 01 42 60 72 96 |
Doctors
You are free to choose any doctor you like in France, however always telephone
for an appointment. You will find that many doctors, nurses and laboratory
staff will also make house call or, if affiliated with a local hospital, will
usually receive you there (generally at a preferential rate). Pharmacists
are a good source of information on doctors and specialists in the area.
Social security (see below) reimbursements depend on the status of the doctor
you are visiting. The doctor will fall into one of the following categories
and it is worth checking before making your appointment.
| Conventionné (State fixed price /consultation) |
75% paid by social security | 25% by private insurance or you |
| Conventionné à honoraires libres (Varying price /consultation) |
75% paid by social security | 25% by private insurance or you |
| Non conventionné | Set their own price per consultation and reimbursement by the social security is low, check what your mutual insurance will pay for or this could be an expensive visit! | |
Children's Health
A great source of information for families with young children is the English
speaking support group - MESSAGE Mother
Support Group – A non-profit making organisation of approximately 900
English-speaking mother and mothers-to-be in Paris and surrounding suburbs.
This organisation offers contact, activities, information, help and support
to pregnant women, new mothers and families with children. All nationalities
are welcome.
MESSAGE
Mother Support Group
Tel : 01 58 60 00 53
(9am to 4pm, weekdays)
info@messageparis.org
Hospitals
There are two English speaking private hospitals in the western suburbs of
Paris.
| American
Hospital of Paris: Tel : 01 46 41 25 25 63, boulevard Victor Hugo 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine |
|
American hospital of Paris
non-conventionné agréé (registered)
|
Hertford British Hospital conventionné
|
Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture and homeopathy are recognized by French social security and
are widespread. However most charge honoraires libres and therefore the
social security will only cover a small proportion of the bill. Independent
health insurance (mutuelle) rarely covers the excess.
Osteopathy is also popular but is still not recognized by French social security.
Social Security
France has a compulsory social security system which covers retirement,
unemployment and national health. Contributions to the various schemes are
paid by companies, employees and professionals.
If you are coming to France as an expatriate and are employed and paid by
your company in France, the formalities will be taken care of by your company
and you will contribute to, and be eligible for, social security in the
same way as a French national.
If you are coming to France on temporary assignment the situation will be
slightly more complicated. You may be covered by social security agreements
between your country of origin and France. (e.g. EU countries and
US) in which case your company will take care of the formalities, although
you may also need to register with your local social security office.
It is worth checking with the embassy in your country of origin about social
security coverage agreements with France. If you can not be covered make
sure that your company provide ample private coverage for your health care.
Reimbursement
If eligible for social security you will be issued with a registration number
and card – this card is issued to the insured employee and lists the
members of the family that are also covered. Remember to keep all bills,
stickers and receipts and your social security number must be quoted on
all medical documentation, bills, prescriptions so that you will be able
to be reimbursed.
Remember that Social security will only cover the portion of the bill that
is ‘conventionee’ so check with doctors, hospitals before you
make the appointment. The excess charges can be covered by an independent
(mutuelle) insurance which may be provided by your employer or taken privately
and also covers dentistry and glasses. These too however are strict in the
type of charges they will cover.
