Healthcare

I had cataract surgery in France

After her vision deteriorated in one eye, Finistère resident Ann Edwards, 80, had to go into hospital for an cataract operation. Here, she talks about the procedure and post-op check-ups

How France’s new free health checks work

People in four key age groups are eligible and the 30-45 minute checks are designed to offer better preventative care

Pharmacists set to stage national strike in France

‘More than one pharmacy has closed every day since the start of the year in our country’, pharmacists’ union warns

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How does your area of France fare for delay to see a doctor?

Some departments are in particular trouble when it comes to waiting times for specialists

The 7 ways France plans to improve end-of-life care

Proposals include precise rules for the administration of assisted dying and palliative care

How would joint ID and health card plan work for foreigners in France?

Scheme to fight fraud made a ‘priority’ by prime minister

France residents in better health than other countries, study shows

The report found that France has particularly improved on life expectancy since 1990

€30 doctor fees, less drugs: how healthcare could change in France

Doctors to be paid more but in return asked to prescribe fewer treatments

Which rural areas of France are hardest hit by lack of doctors?

We also look at the countryside departments best served - and the situation for access to health specialists

Special Eiffel Tower message at France’s historic abortion right vote

Parliamentary congress passed a vote, making France the first country in the world to enshrine abortion access in its Constitution

SEE: Tears as senators back making abortion a constitutional freedom

France is on its way to being first country in world to enshrine abortion access in its constitution

Half of health specialists charge above set state rates in France

Gynaecologists, ophthalmologists and anaesthetists were often found to charge more in a study by a leading consumer association

How does your local French hospital fare in official quality rankings?

The certification authority considered factors including coordination of care, risk prevention and pain management

Medicines in France will cost patients more from spring

The ‘franchise médicale’ is not reimbursed, and critics say it will penalise vulnerable people

How do I make and register a ‘living will' in France?

Ensuring your wishes: the importance of providing hospitals with your living will

Remote monitoring of patients in France moves into the mainstream

The costs of monitoring patients from distance are now being covered by France’s health insurance scheme, Assurance maladie

French health insurance travel card: How it works and how to get one

We explain France’s carte européene d’assurance maladie and who is eligible for one

How seeing a GP (or rather not) for some issues is changing in France

The legislation aims to make it easier for patients to access certain health professionals without having to get a referral from their doctor first

French state to reduce the amount it contributes to your dental bills

Private health insurers are set to pick up the shortfall

France visas, residency cards, French tax: see Connexion help guides

The guides are in English and published in a digital format that can be downloaded as a PDF. Each has an extensive question and answer section

Why French pharmacies can now automatically store your medicine data

We explain your rights under the new law and what information will be stored

Can I renounce French pension to obtain benefits of S1 health form?

Having healthcare via an S1 from another country can have advantages when it comes to social charges

France mulls merging ID and health cards: How could new plan work?

Critics say the idea would be ‘technically impossible’. But the system is already in place in other European countries

New law ‘will improve access to healthcare’ in France

MPs in France recently approved a bill which will allow patients to see certain nurses and specialists without being referred by a GP

France lets healthcare staff without Covid jab return to work

But, after more than 18 months away, questions have been raised about how many will want to come back

Can I get social charge credit on bank interest if have S1 in France?

A British S1 holder asks if they can claim a tax credit against social charge deductions from their French savings account

Assisted dying should be legal, concludes French PM’s citizen debate

184 members of the public were tasked to look into end-of-life care in France by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne

Can Americans access US Social Security income when living in France?

For those moving from the US to France, we look at options for transferring funds and what to do about healthcare

Send independent doctors to parts of France with shortage, says report

A consumer group has attacked the freedom of doctors to choose where they practise

Can I stay registered to my GP in the UK if I am a resident in France?

We also look at which medical cards French residents should use when travelling

Do dual nationality citizens keep healthcare rights if leaving France?

We also look at if you can keep your French bank account and what you need to do if leaving France permanently

My hip replacement success in France with new patient-centred protocol

Why this surgery experience was improvement on 10 years ago, reader explains

How do I get a free healthcare check-up in France?

Everyone who is part of the state healthcare system can get a free check-up every five years. We explain what it entails and how to get one

France considers charging patients for no-shows at the doctor

Doctors in France say they lose two hours per week due to patients failing to show up for appointments without cancelling ahead of time

Autumn Covid booster recommended only for ‘at risk’ groups in France

The vaccination will be offered alongside the one for seasonal flu

French citizens’ council votes for assisted dying (with conditions)

It comes after France’s ethics advisory body earlier said that patients are increasingly ‘forgotten’ in end-of-life care

How do French healthcare costs change for long-term illnesses?

If you have a long-term illness, declaration of the condition may provide you with reduced medical costs

Marches, mimosa, Molière: The week ahead in France

This week (February 13-19) is also set to include a controversial healthcare debate (and a strike about it), another day of pension protests, a wine show and more

‘Make patients in France part of the team to save money and lives’

We speak to a surgeon about how he is trying to overhaul the patient experience in French hospitals

How can I find out which parts of France are lacking doctors?

So-called ‘medical deserts’ are a big issue in France, but certain areas have better access to healthcare than others

Can I belong to US Medicare and the French healthcare system?

We look at the rules for Americans living in France who want to retain their Medicare health plans

What help is there towards top-up healthcare insurance in France?

Most people choose to ‘top up’ their healthcare cover through a private insurance provider but a system called complémentaire santé solidaire pays for this in some cases

The end of prescription rules for physiotherapist sessions in France?

Normally patients need to see their GP before visiting professionals such as physiotherapists or speech therapists to avoid paying more

Explainer: the CSS, France’s free or low cost top-up health insurance

Most people in France choose to ‘top up’ their healthcare cover through a private insurance provider but a system called complémentaire santé solidaire pays for this in some cases

Who has to pay the Puma healthcare tax in France?

Early-retirees who move to France can join its health system but some have to pay for it

How to get a social security number and carte Vitale in France

Obtaining a social security number is typically one of the first things to do upon arrival in France as it allows you to enter the healthcare system

How to find a doctor out of hours in France

There are plenty of options in France to find healthcare as and when you need it if your doctor is not available

What is the French equivalent to a ‘lasting power of attorney’?

France offers the mandat de protection future instead of the power of attorney

Explainer: French healthcare terms that are useful to know

From Ameli to ticket modérateur to avis ponctue l, use our glossary of French healthcare terms to better understand the system in France

Sick note clampdown stops French workers ‘shopping around’ online

Permission to stay at home will soon only be accessible from your designated GP – but the tighter rules have been met with criticism

What is a carte Vitale and why do I need one in France?

The carte Vitale health card is very important to your life in France as it will allow you to be reimbursed by the state for healthcare costs

Explainer: Paying to see a doctor or health specialist in France

The medical system in France can seem quite different to people coming here from the UK and US, for example – here are some useful pointers to help you understand

French mayors’ ideas to solve rural doctor shortages 'taken seriously'

Rural mayors have presented the health minister with four solutions to healthcare ‘deserts’ using consultation results

Lack of doctors in France ‘means rural residents are dying younger’

Access to GPs is difficult in the countryside though this varies from one local area to another. Access to specialists and hospitals is also a concern

Five things they don’t tell you about… French attitudes to healthcare

We take a sideways look at how healthcare is viewed in France - which may be a little different to your native country

Last days to benefit from open day event at French admin help centres

There are over 2,000 France Services points around the country where people can get help declaring taxes, renewing driving licences, getting healthcare reimbursements, etc.

French pharmacists offer medical consultations in new trial

Fifty pharmacies in Brittany are now able to advise patients who have 13 common symptoms, in an effort to compensate for a lack of doctors

Who can get a free health check in France and how do they work?

The government is to offer everyone a free check at age 25, 45 and 65 but a system is already in place out of these age landmarks

Healthcare, climate, cigarettes: France announces its 2023 budget

Absolute priority is to push inflation down and protect households, says Finance minister

Is there any support in France for English-speakers with Alzheimer’s

We look into what help you can get if you have Alzheimer's or know someone with this disease

Hospital ratings: website lets patients compare French health centres

The online tool grades quality and safety of care so patients can identify the best facilities, but a nursing union has concerns

Can I get a withdrawal agreement S1 when I turn 66 this year?

We look at the terms for obtaining an S1 form and how the cover they offer has changed for some people post-Brexit

France faces summer paracetamol shortages due to supply delays

The general public are asked to limit their use of the medicine to ‘immediate needs’

Patients’ group outlines solutions to A&E crisis at French hospitals

Reinstating out-of-hours GPs is key, it claims, saying the government must act now

‘Your online French health space is ready’: is this message a scam?

Some people have received an email relating to their new Mon espace santé digital health space and queried if it is valid

Explainer: Why having a designated GP in France saves you money

We also outline how you can change GP if you so wish

Does French health insurance cover nicotine replacement treatments?

Nicotine patches or sweets used to be reimbursed up to a limit of €150 per year, but this was changed in 2019. We recap the new rules

Explainer: How French residents can access healthcare in UK on trips

Since Brexit, the rules for residents of France have changed, and your eligibility for free healthcare will depend on certain conditions

Covid cases falling in France but professor says ‘pandemic not over’

Better systems must be put in place to anticipate future variants of the virus, says an epidemiologist at the University of Geneva

Covid changed my mind about French healthcare: it is exceptional

Writer Tamara Thiessen says the system is not perfect but has many good points. She also notes the chaos of testing facilities she experienced in her native Australia

Why pensioners are holding protests around France today

More investment in public services, particularly in rural areas, to avoid pensioners being left ‘helpless’ by the digitalisation of procedures is amongst demands

Recap: Baby gifts, taxi fees, meat labels… 10 recent changes in France

There has also been an increase in motorway tolls and the launch of a new online ‘health space’ for residents

Seven questions and answers about France’s new online health space

Mon espace santé launched earlier this month. What services does it offer? How is your information protected? How will it help healthcare professionals?

Tax, homes, cars: 19 changes in France for residents in January 2022

Rules for mortgages also change as does the way you apply for planning permission, we look at key changes on their way in the new year

Top-ups, eye tests, online: Eight healthcare changes in France in 2022

Several changes in healthcare are already announced for 2022. We summarise eight key points