Costs Refunded
The majority of any charges paid for healthcare in France will be refunded by the health system: the extent to which charges are refunded depends on whether the patient respects the Program of Coordinated Medical Care, the PSC, or not.
The figures given here indicate the minimum amounts a patient should expect to pay: remember also that consultation fees increase significantly if you consult a doctor without following the correct PSC procedure.
The amount a patient has to pay, including possible refunds from private health insurance, is calculated in line with a basic charges rate. No matter how much a doctor actually charges, the refund from the health system will be calculated in line with this basic rate; this refund is typically 70% of the fee, minus one additional Euro.
If your regular doctor is a sector 1 general practitioner, they will charge a €22 consultation fee, which corresponds to the current basic rate. Sector 1 health service doctors will always charge according to the basic rate. The amount refunded by the health system is typically 70% of this fee, minus 1€: €14.40.
If your regular doctor is a sector 2 practitioner, their fees may be higher but your refund will still be calculated according to the basic rate. You will be refunded €14.40, no matter how much the consultation actually costs.
If your regular doctor is a specialist, their basic rates are €25 if sector 1, or €23 if sector 2. The amount refunded by the health system will be a maximum of 70% of these basic rates. Sector 1 specialists cannot charge more than €28 for consultation fees.
If your regular doctor is a neurologist, a neuropsychiatrist or a psychiatrist, their basic rates are €37 if sector 1, and €34.30 if sector 2. The amount refunded by the health system will be a maximum of 70% of the €37 basic rate, even if your doctor charged only €34.30.
