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France’s health system is regularly promoted as one of the best in the world. Is medical attention in France really so great or universal public insurance is cloudying our judgment? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons!
Pros for medical care in France
- Equal access for all residents: In general terms, if you legally reside in France continuously and stable, you can register in the French health program (Security Evil). This basic medical care coverage (Protection Universelle Malieie – Puma) It does not depend on having a job. Nor does it pay a higher premium if it is greater or has pre -existing conditions. If you work, a percentage of your income is fine towards social positions, one of which is the socialized public health system in France.Before moving to France, I left my teaching work. It was so creepy to know that the coverage of medical care provided through my work would expire while I was still in the United States.
- Universal acceptance through France: When looking for a medical care provider in France, there is no need to navigate on the network or suppliers and centers outside the network. This concept does not exist in France. Similarly, you do not need to verify in advance if your insurance will be accepted by a particular doctor. You can receive different refund levels depending on whether the professional charges the base rates (Sector 1) or if higher rates charge (Sector 2 ORPÍN Sector 3 No Convention).
- “Extra” things are more accessible: Duration of my pregnancy and then I saw an osteopath for back pain. While breastfeeding, I contacted a breastfeeding consultant to obtain support. Neinder of these support professionals are reimbursed by The Sécuwhich is the case of anything considered “alternative medicine.” However, their rates were relatively affordable despite not being regulated, so I did not hesitate to reserve an appointment. If I had given birth in the United States, I would probably not sought these health professionals,
- Short consultations and to the point: Most general doctors and even many specialists keep their regular appointments up to 15 minutes. The short duration of the appointment can be seen as a scam depending on your perspective and I see both sides! In general, I appreciate the appearance without luxuries and the fact that the whole appointment with the doctor passes.
- Collect medications in any pharmacy: It can go through any pharmacy in France with its recipe. (Ordonza) And leave a few minutes later with your medications in your hand. The medications are not counted and put in bottles here. They give you the whole box or bottle, explain the dose and scribbles a small note abroad. It’s fast and convenient! If they don’t have something in stock, they can ask for you or can simply go to another pharmacy if it is something you can’t expect.
- Pharmaceutical advice: Pharmacy technicians in France are highly trained and can give medical advice for common ailments. If you cannot help you, you will advise you to consult a doctor or go to the hospital, as necessary. At first I can find it a bit uncomfortable describing your urinary infection while other customers wait in the row just behind you, but ultimately, I find reassuring to go to a pharmacist for things like this.
Read more: Things you can do in France that you cannot do in the United States
- Ease of appointment reserve: Many health professionals of France Fororo, secretary, in favor of signing to an online reserve system. This facilitates the search for doctors, as special according to availability. You can also use this interface to exchange documents (such as recipes) or have a telecentration. Doctolib is one of the best known platforms, and France can barely make credit for it, since it was an idea of start and not for the government itself.
Against medical care in France
- Pay more to the system: Payment in the health system is calculated according to your situation and income. Some people contribute a lot, while others can obtain benefits without paying at all. Paying more to the system compared to others can be frustrating when you know that there are people who take advantage of the system and/or do not participate when they could be. You can feel unfair.
- Complementary insurance need: Private recharge insurance, known as a MutuelIt is absolutely essential, in my opinion. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of going to the doctor is not completely covered by the National Health Program. (This was a mistake that I had about life in France!)As a general rule, 70% of medical costs are reimbursed and, therefore, it is an response for the removal portion. Althegh’s costs are relatively low, rates are quickly added! In addition, dental and ocular care does not seem to be reimbursed very well and alternative medicine (including therapy with a psychologist) is not reimbursed at all. That said, to a large extent, people do not understand medical debts or avoid the attention they need because they cannot pay it.
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- Hurd quotes: As mentioned above, 15 -minute consultations are the standard. Chatting with the dermatologist, stripping the exam and solving the payment in the 15 -minute space is undoubtedly an emotion for beginners. Add the need to communicate in a second language and you can get a little nervous. You may be exaggerating a little in this case, but it seems that you are entering and leaving the doctor’s office very quickly.
- Shortage of health professionals: Getting an appointment can be difficult depending on where you live in France. Not all doctors accept new patients, especially in rural areas where demand is greater in proportion to availability. This is particularly frustrating since it is necessary to declare a Medical Traiter (Primary Care Physician) to receive complete refunds. There are more specialists available in cities, but waiting times can be long. It is common knowledge that the waiting of a dermatologist is more than 6 months and it is likely to call.
- Inefficient Follow the Soins: To be completely reimbursed for your attention, you must follow the Follow the Soins By first consulting your Medical Traiter Who then prescribes the next steps that direct him to a specialist, if necessary.In the best case, the approved medical care route can add unnecessary waiting times to treatment. In Sausage, some general doctors are not always updated on the most current practices, so they may not provide the best options. A couple of years ago, my ear was blocked with ear wax and a general practitioner used the obsolete technique or water with my ear in my ear, just to refer to an ear, nose and throat doctor for a fast and simple vacuum extraction. Spoiler alert: I get an ear infection.
- Complicated and slow system: In a classic French bureaucracy case at its expression, the system is not easily used to use. There are still many tasks that cannot be complete electronic, which forces him to send documents by mail. This whole document moves that registration documents can be lost, maternity leave can be delayed or medical care reimbursements may take time to appear in your bank account.
- Fleeting initiatives: Certain initiatives sound good on paper, but they are very limited in reality. I was quite intrigued when I heard about him Mon soutien psy Initiative that allows people to benefit from 12 psychotherapy sessions over a year. Since the pocket usually pays therapy in France, I was glad to know that it would be more accessible. However, due to the low rate (€ 50/session), few therapists are associated with this program, since they could charge more outside it. One can imagine that those who choose to participate are those who do not have a customer base and perhaps for a good reason.
- Lack of customer service: With the costs maintained, in my opinion, there are simply no incentives for health professionals to provide customer service. Of course, there are health professionals who go beyond, but it’s not what I have expected here. This can also be particular to Paris and other large cities where the expenses of medical professionals are higher.For example, in the pharmacy, I was measured for compression stockings, but they gave me the incorrect size. I did what I solved until I washed them and tried to put them. Jonathan and I discussed in advance what could be the result if I return to the pharmacy with them. Shocker – The Frenchman was right. While there could be a pharmacy out there that would make a commercial gesture, he said he needed to obtain a new recipe to obtain a new pair of stockings (no charge), only although they stolen that in my change!
While reflecting on my experiences with the health system in France, I managed to find an equal number of advantages and disadvantages. However, many of the elements in consistency are simply small inconsistent. I think some of the professionals have much more weight compared.
In general, I feel extremely lucky to be able to participate in the health system of France and I am very happy with the quality of the care I have appealed.
What do you think of thesis and disadvantages for French medical care? Did I miss something worth mentioning?
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