One of the best things about the French healthcare system is how much of your care is reimbursed — but how that actually works can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Between CPAM, your Carte Vitale, mutuelles, feuilles de soins, and lots of new French vocab, it’s no wonder people feel confused.
Let’s break it down so you can feel confident about what you’ll pay, what you’ll get back, and how to make sure it actually happens.
🏥 First Things First: How the French System Works
In France, you generally pay upfront for your medical appointments — whether it’s a GP visit, a specialist, or some lab work. Then, you’re reimbursed for a percentage of the cost through L’Assurance Maladie (public health insurance) and your mutuelle (top-up insurance).
That means the money doesn’t come off your bill straight away — it’s sent back to you afterwards. Think of it like a refund, French-style.
💳 What You’ll Need: Your Carte Vitale
To trigger any reimbursement, you need to present your Carte Vitale at your appointment. This little green card links you to the healthcare system and makes things much smoother.
If the practitioner is conventionné (approved by the French state), they’ll send the reimbursement request off electronically using your Carte Vitale. You usually don’t need to do anything else.
But if your Carte Vitale isn’t working yet (or they don’t accept it), you’ll get a feuille de soins (treatment form) to fill in and post to CPAM.
💶 Who Pays What?
Here’s the rough breakdown:
- L’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) reimburses around 70% of the official tariff (called the tarif de convention)
- Your mutuelle covers the rest — either partially or fully, depending on your plan
- Any extra charges (dépassements d’honoraires) may not be covered unless you have a high-end mutuelle
Example:
- You pay €30 for a GP visit
- CPAM reimburses €21 (70%)
- Your mutuelle may cover the remaining €9
- If your doctor charges more than the standard rate, the extra might come out of your pocket
📨 What Happens If You Don’t Have a Carte Vitale Yet?
No problem — it’s just a bit more admin. You’ll be given a feuille de soins instead, which you’ll need to complete and send to your local CPAM office, along with any prescriptions or documents.
Keep a copy of everything, just in case!
🧾 The Mysterious French Facture
Ever looked at a French medical bill and gone cross-eyed? Let’s demystify a few common terms:
- Honoraires: Total amount billed
- Part Obligatoire (Part Obl): The amount reimbursed by CPAM
- Part Complémentaire (Part Compl): The amount your mutuelle will (hopefully) reimburse
- Dépassement d’honoraires (Dont Dép): Any extra charges beyond the standard rate (you may have to pay this yourself)
🕐 How Long Does It Take?
Reimbursements from CPAM usually hit your bank account within 5–7 days after the appointment (if your Carte Vitale was used). Mutuelle refunds may take a bit longer — up to a couple of weeks, depending on the provider.
If you posted in a feuille de soins, expect it to take 2–4 weeks (sometimes longer if CPAM is busy… which it often is!).
💬 How Hello Santé Can Help
If you’re feeling a bit lost in the French paperwork forest, don’t worry — we’ve got your back. At Hello Santé, we can:
✅ Help you understand your reimbursements and what to expect
✅ Guide you through using your Carte Vitale or sending off a feuille de soins
✅ Explain bills and French healthcare jargon
✅ Support you in choosing or understanding your mutuelle
No stress, no confusion — just clear support to help you get the healthcare (and refunds!) you’re entitled to.
💡 Bonus Tips
- Keep your bank details updated with CPAM and your mutuelle — so reimbursements go to the right place
- Save your receipts in case of any follow-up
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions — the French system is brilliant, but it’s not always simple!
Need help making sense of your reimbursements or setting up your Carte Vitale or mutuelle?
Reach out to Hello Santé — we’re here to help you navigate French healthcare with confidence.