Practical health

Medical fees, eco-grants, gas prices: 5 changes this May in France

We also include the French income tax declaration deadlines for residents and second-home owners and other dates coming up

Must children help to pay for elderly parents in French care homes?

There are strict rules dictating when family support is required

What dental work is covered with the 100% Santé scheme in France?

The scheme was introduced in 2020 and covers those in the healthcare system with mutuelle cover

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

Patients to pay more for doctor visits in France from May 15

The participation forfaitaire will double in most cases

How to be an organ donor in France

Family members are interviewed after a death over donation plans

Next Covid vaccination campaign to begin in France

Vulnerable people are advised to get booster shot before influx of visitors for Olympics

Health insurance in France: what you should expect to pay per age

Region and gender also plays a part in the total cost of top-ups. Policies are forecast to rise significantly this year

Why are more young people in France getting cancer?

Cancer may grow faster and recur more in younger people, but this group is also better at spotting symptoms, one specialist says

Health strike, foreigners’ tax errors, scams: French practical updates

Our round-up of recent practical articles you may have missed

June strike call for private clinics and hospitals in France

200,000 private healthcare workers may walk out over hospital funding row

What is the easiest way to get new glasses in France?

There are a number of options, but beware of what prescription you use

Do Britons lose access to NHS healthcare when moving to France?

When leaving the UK it is necessary to inform the NHS of non-residency

Must I pay social charges if I have private healthcare in France?

We review what if any exemptions from healthcare contributions are possible

Unusual rise in respiratory infections in France

Health authorities are analysing the situation with the health minister saying France has six months of antibiotics stocks ready if needed

How to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning in French home

Warnings raised after Storm Ciaran causes spike in cases

Explainer: ‘tutelle’ and other forms of power of attorney in France

France has two main court-ordered systems for looking after the interests of vulnerable people but other options also exist

How French village mayor is breaking organ donation taboo

The village sign has sparked debate in the street and got people talking about their own organ donation wishes

French hospitals embrace hypnosis for pain relief during treatments

Doctors and nurses are being trained to use hypnosis alongside conventional medicine

Will sports sessions be reimbursable throughout France?

The plan has been trialled for certain patients and found to have a positive impact

Do I benefit from lower charges if I register an S1 in France?

We review using an S1 as a newly qualified British state pensioner in France

Long wait for dermatologist appointments in France

Almost one in two people have given up seeking treatment and many face mental health issues due to skin conditions

Scams, pharmacies, hunting: 5 practical articles from France

We look at changes to the way in which pharmacies can operate, new scams doing the rounds and explain the rules around wastewater and the new hunting season

Levothyrox thyroid drug: Old formula available in France until 2025

Patients have welcomed the decision but the manufacturer says doctors must help patients find alternatives

Throwaway cigarette ‘puffs’ to be banned in France

It comes amidst a wave of new measures set to fight against smoking in the country

Steep rise in use of medical video-chat booths in French pharmacies

The booths are aimed at patients with minor complaints and link the user to a doctor remotely. There can be added charges to use one

Hope for allergic asthma sufferers as French laboratory tests vaccine

The dose could last up to three years, but researchers warn against comparisons to the fast Covid vaccine rollout

How much does cataract surgery cost in France?

The cost of cataract surgery in France will depend on the procedure and the hospital or clinic you select

I am in French health system already – should I use my S1 health form?

It may seem unnecessary but there are advantages to UK or EU pensioners registering their form with Cpam

Dirty air could speed up the ageing of eyes says new French study

It found there was a possible increased risk of glaucoma for people who live in high-pollution areas

Dentist shortage in France ‘is unlikely to improve for a decade’

Union representing dentists tells us crisis will continue with four regions showing chronic lack of services

French public health body’s tips for staying hydrated this summer

From consuming coconut water to drinking before you feel thirsty, we share French health advice on how to avoid dehydration

How to raise alarm if you see a pet in distress on your French travels

The advice is part of a government guide aimed at protecting animals from the worst of the summer heat

Millions in France unaware of high blood pressure: How to spot signs

France’s public health agency says hypertension can be dangerous if left untreated. Here’s how to avoid and how to manage it

People in France are living longer in good health, study finds

The data shows an improvement when compared to the same report in 2008

How could ‘no-show’ fees for GP appointments work in France?

A senator has put forward the idea as a way to cut back on the 27 million appointments which are missed each year and thus help ease strain on doctors

Complementary services now in France’s online health space

Mon Espace Santé account holders will be able to access an increasing range of health related apps and websites

Flu on rise again in France: South East particularly affected

Hospitalisations rose 43% in a week with younger people most impacted. Vaccination for children is now being recommended to slow down the spread

Five things they don’t tell you about health and wellness in France

From mealtimes to massages, we take a sideways look at how French people manage their wellbeing

French firm pioneers stem cell treatment for heart attack victims

The treatment is aimed at people on transplant waiting lists and helps the heart repair all by itself

How are you reimbursed for your medicines in France?

With your carte Vitale you can be reimbursed up to 100% depending on the efficacy of the medicine

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

Carte Vitale, prescriptions: Ten changes for health in France in 2023

We look at how the carte Vitale and prescriptions will go digital, the changing role of nurses and pharmacists and more

Toothbrush reinvented by French entrepreneurs to clean in five seconds

The new brush, which looks like a mouthguard, has proved a hit with consumers despite its cost

‘Asking for HRT in France made me feel like a stroppy child’

Writer Gillian Harvey talks to readers about their experiences as research suggests the number of women taking hormone replacement therapy in France has dropped 80% over 20 years

Disabled couple excluded from French energy price protection

The British couple has been told they do not qualify for the freeze to gas price rises in France as they use too much energy to heat their home

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

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

How to find a doctor in France who speaks good English

If your French language skills are limited (or you just prefer to converse on medical issues in your native language) these resources can help

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

250 centres across France offer relief for chronic pain sufferers

The centres are open to anyone with persistent pain over a long period whose condition has not been helped by treatment from a GP or specialist

What can I do if I receive substandard dental treatment in France?

If your dentist fits you with a bad crown or filling or provides work that is not up to standard, there are different options for claiming reimbursement or a correction

Walking group helps French heart patients live a normal life again

In Mougins, heart patients meet weekly for a free Nordic walking class as part of an experiment into physical activity on prescription. The Connexion tagged along

Heart disease patients in France prescribed free sports classes

Five French regions are testing a free, five-month exercise programme for people with serious heart problems, as part of a new focus on prevention

How to join a sports club in France: admin, medical and fees explained

Joining a sports club is a great way to keep fit and make friends - we look at what is involved

Mosquito screen reinvented by French couple after mesh misery abroad

Their polycarbonate solution also lets in more light and cools air coming through

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

Travel and health coverage: How do I get French equivalent of Ehic?

We look into the carte européenne d'assurance maladie , who is eligible, how you can get one and how it works

Are there Schengen rule exemptions to help care for elderly relatives?

There is no separate visa category for family carers, but there are ways to extend your stay in France. We explain.

French firm's needle-free injections win US government contract

The no-needle system uses space rocket technology to ‘shoot’ medicine into patient

Does France reimburse in full the costs of orthopaedic shoes?

We look into the rules around these custom-made shoes

Does France’s ‘100% Santé’ scheme cover glasses without a mutuelle?

The scheme was introduced to make eye, dental and hearing aid services more affordable

Defibrillator alarm system wins top invention prize in France

An ingenious firefighter has invented a way to get the life-saving kit to cardiac-arrest victims more quickly

Can non-residents donate blood if in France for a few months?

Anyone who lived for a minimum of one year in the UK between 1980 and 1996 cannot donate blood in France. However, it is still possible to give blood for non therapeutic purposes

Do health issues affect your right to drive in France on a UK licence?

Depending on the case, certain restrictions on driving may be applied

Putting one's affairs in order

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