How to register with a doctor in France
The importance of signing up with a doctor and how they can help you
To register with a doctor in France, choose a médecin traitant - your primary healthcare provider - who will guide your medical care and referrals
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Registering with a doctor in France is an essential step for newcomers to the country, ensuring access to healthcare and appropriate state reimbursements.
If you have just moved over from the UK or US, here is a step-by-step guide on how to select and register with a médecin traitant (general practitioner) and navigate the French healthcare system.
Why you need a médecin traitant
In France, every resident is encouraged to register with a médecin traitant, which is typically a general practitioner (médecin généraliste). This is your designated doctor for coordinating your healthcare needs.
Having a médecin traitant ensures that you receive optimal state reimbursements for medical consultations and treatments.
Unlike some other countries, where doctors are allocated based on your geographic location, you are free to choose any GP you prefer in France, provided they are not fully booked.
It is important to note that to register with a médecin traitant, you must be a resident of France.
How to register with a médecin traitant
To register with a médecin traitant, you will need to complete a declaration form during your consultation with the doctor.
If possible, it is best to choose a GP who is familiar with your medical history as this ensures better continuity of care.
If you decide to switch GPs, the process is simple. You will need to fill out a new declaration form with your new doctor.
Keep in mind that you can choose a specialist as your médecin traitant if you have a chronic condition or long-term illness. However, for most people, a general practitioner is the most common choice.
What happens during the consultation?
During the consultation, the doctor will complete the Déclaration de Médecin Traitant form. This officially registers them as your primary healthcare provider.
Once registered, you can visit your médecin traitant for regular health checkups, medical advice, and treatment.
Your médecin traitant is usually your first point of contact for healthcare needs, and they are responsible for coordinating referrals to specialists.
If you visit a specialist without a referral, the state will reimburse you at a lower rate.
Referrals to specialists
When you need to see a specialist, your médecin traitant will provide a referral, making the specialist your médecin correspondant.
Depending on whether the referral is for ongoing treatment (suivi régulier) or a one-time consultation (avis ponctuel), the cost and reimbursement rates may vary.
Avis ponctuel: A one-off consultation with a specialist, often without follow-up appointments. In this case, the specialist may leave any further treatment to your médecin traitant.
Suivi régulier: Ongoing care for chronic conditions, where regular visits to the specialist are required. This type of treatment allows for better reimbursement as lower tariffs will apply.
Exceptions to the médecin traitant rule
While most healthcare in France is coordinated through your médecin traitant, there are certain exceptions where you can directly visit a specialist without a referral. These include:
Médecin traitant for children and teenagers
Teenagers aged 16 or 17 are required to obtain a parent’s permission and signature to register a médecin traitant.
Younger children can also have a médecin traitant, with a parent or guardian choosing and declaring the doctor.
While there are no financial penalties for not following the médecin traitant for other specialist visits, this practice helps monitor long-term health issues, such as childhood obesity or developmental concerns.
Benefits of having a médecin traitant
Registering with a médecin traitant ensures the best levels of reimbursement from the French health system, making healthcare more affordable.
It also enables better management of your health and ensures you receive appropriate referrals to specialists when necessary.
Summary
To register with a doctor in France, choose a médecin traitant - your primary healthcare provider - who will guide your medical care and referrals.
This step is essential for navigating the French healthcare system and ensuring you receive optimal reimbursements.
Whether you are new to France or simply need to change your doctor, following this process ensures comprehensive care and access to specialists when needed.
