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Long life: Which areas of France are set to have many centenarians and why?
Overseas departments fare the best but some areas in France and Corsica also rank highly
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Why are pancreatic cancer cases rising sharply in France?
A record 15,991 cases were confirmed in 2023, and France is the fourth-most affected country worldwide
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Renewal and updates: what are the rules for French health cards?
Does our top-up insurance have to match the card dates?
Is my operation in a French private clinic reimbursable?
We answer a reader question: Will I be reimbursed if I have an operation in a private clinic in France?

Question:
My doctor has suggested I have an operation in a private clinic – will this be reimbursed by the French social security system? G.F.
Answer:
This depends on whether or not the private clinic has a partnership with the state assurance maladie system. If it does, it is referred to as a clinique privée conventionnée and your hospitalisation costs will be covered on the same basis as if you have the operation in a public hospital.
This is a common arrangement and many French “hospitals” come under this banner. Strictly speaking, the term hôpital refers only to state-run establishments. In this case, the assurance maladie covers 80-100% of basic hospitalisation costs, minus €20/day called the forfait journalier. Where someone is in the clinic for a procedure normally costing €120 or more (un acte lourd), the reimbursement is at 100% minus a set figure of €24.
Apart from the forfait journalier, you may have to pay any dépassements d’honoraires – amounts over and above the usual state tariff – practised by your doctor/s and for any extras you asked for, such as having a private room. Some of these costs may be covered by your mutuelle top-up insurance, if you have one. Check the clinic’s status with your doctor to avoid ending up paying in full.
More reader questions, answered: Can I visit the UK from France for less than 14 days?