top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

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

A new bill proposes to change the way in which patients access physiotherapy treatment in France Pic: Lopolo / Shutterstock

A French MP has put forward a bill which would enable patients to access physiotherapist and other appointments without first needing a prescription from a doctor to avoid paying more.

The bill has been proposed by Loiret MP Stéphanie Rist in response to calls from physiotherapists to simplify the process patients must undertake to secure an appointment. 

“We will see a patient, we will evaluate the seriousness” of their complaint, physiotherapist and member of the SNMKR union Morgan Colas told Franceinfo.

“If there are signs of a problem that make us think that we cannot see them straightaway, we will send them to a doctor.” 

However, doctors have expressed concern over the idea that people will be able to bypass them and go straight to professionals such as physiotherapists or speech therapists. 

Seine-Saint-Denis doctor Yohann Saynac has suggested that this could cause confusion, saying “we wouldn’t know who was doing what”. 

This would provoke “a significant loss of information and that puts the quality of care at risk.” 

Ms Rist has stated that a physiotherapist, for example, would have to send their notes to the patient’s GP so that they were up to date with their treatments.

What are the rules at the moment?

You can consult a health specialist without first seeing a GP in France but it could – depending on the type of specialist and your insurance coverage – cost you more. 

The process is usually as follows:

You have an illness or an injury, say, for example, you have injured your knee. You should normally go to see your designated GP (médecin traitant). 

Your GP will note your knee injury and then may send you to a specialist, such as a physiotherapist. In this way you will be considered to be on the ‘coordinated healthcare pathway’ (parcours de soins coordonnés).

Being on a parcours de soins coordonnés means better state reimbursement rates for treatment. 

Related articles 

Make sense of… Physiotherapists (kiné) and osteopaths in France

Will my UK physiotherapist’s degree be recognised for work in France?

Can you consult a medical specialist without seeing your GP in France?

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France