Current System

In August 2004, the French health system underwent several reforms. Since then, within the framework of the Program of Coordinated Medical Care (PSC: Parcours de Soins Coordonnés), it is compulsory for each patient to choose a regular doctor.

This is the doctor you must always visit initially, even if you believe you need specialist attention, because they hold your Personalised Medical File (DMP: Dossier Médical Personnalisé). If you go to another doctor, your healthcare may not be free of charge. If necessary, your regular doctor will refer you to a specialist.

There are several different kinds of doctor in France. As well as general practitioners and specialists, there are three further categories of doctor: registered doctors, divided into 'sector 1' and 'sector 2' subcategories, and non-registered doctors.

Sector 1 and sector 2 doctors have agreements with the French social security system, and thus have to respect certain limits on fees charged. Sector 1 doctors charge only those fees fixed by the social security system, while sector 2 doctors have the right to fix their own fees, provided the costs do not deviate too much from the typical social security fees. Non-registered doctors have no agreement with the social security system, and are allowed to fix their fees at whatever prices they wish.


For more information on doctors and French health system reform, see the following articles:

• The PSC

• Costs Refunded