A Traveler's Guide to the Health Care System in France

The health care system in France is not restrictive, with services available to all parties in need. Additionally, many medical providers are multi-lingual and can communicate in French, English and sometimes even German and Spanish.

Treatment

• When being treated, French medical personnel will perform their jobs adequately, but foreign patients need to be active in asking questions. Doctors and nurses are under no obligation within the health care system in France to provide any hand-holding of patients as may occur in other countries.

• For quick treatment that doesn’t involve an emergency room, visitors can get a mobile doctor visit by contacting SOS Medicins’. The service involves a mobile provider who brings its exam room in an ambulance van. Pharmacies also provide all necessary drugs and pharmaceuticals, however, better service is obtained with a hospital reference versus showing up cold.

Logistics

• Emergency treatment is provided at the closest capable facility with transport by ambulance if necessary. Treatment costs will be invoiced on tourists at the end, and payment will be due immediately. An American hospital sits on the Western side of Paris, but the cost can be higher than regular facilities.

• In general, the health care system in France is geographically clustered. Medical providers tend to populate in the cities with rural areas having far less support stretched widely. Getting sick out in the country could be problematic for emergency care or transport.

The Health Care Initiative

• All U.K. tourists should apply for a European Health Initiative Card before the trip to ensure emergency medical treatment if needed when in the country. While it won’t necessarily cover costs, the card can lower them. Drug costs can be reduced by as much as 60% with presentation of the EHI card.

Vaccine Preparation

• Travelers to France can enjoy many of the modern standards of their own country in the health care system in France. Yet in terms of vaccines, travelers should make sure to be up-to-date on measles and mumps. Both France and Spain have suffered repeated measles outbreaks, and vaccines are not free or helpful after the fact.

• The health care system in France is up-to-date and comparable with any first world country. However, nuances can create issues or communication problems if people don’t plan ahead.