In search of a cardiologist

[hatfieldmouse]

Hello to all!

I am an ESL teacher in Limoges and I have been living here for the last 6 months. I am not a citizen although I do have insurance, that covers 100 percent, and a social security card here...this assistantship thing is not quite clear of my status here. Anyways, I just recently found out that my father has Marfan's Syndrome, a genetic heart disorder and I have been strongly advised to get an echocardiogram here to find out if I carry the same heart problem. I cannot wait until I return to the states as I do not have insurance there at the moment and this procedure would cost too much. Can anyone please help me to find a cardiologist in Limoges, or at least how to find one?

I am intimidated just to visit the family physician here, let alone a cardiologist. Any information would be SO greatly welcomed!

Thank you!!

Sincerely,

J.T

[Opalienne]

I can't help for Limoges, but ask your local doctor, at the pharmacy, or the district nurse for a recommendation.   I had an ECG and full cardiac check up about a year ago and I think it cost around €50 - I was very surprised how cheap it was, and it was quick to get an appointment too.   Good luck!

[Will]

The correct route to follow is to get your medicin traitant to refer you to a cardiologist. There is nothing to stop you consulting a specialist direct, but under the current revisions to medical procedures in France you will not, if you go direct, have the specialist fees refunded through medical insurance - or at least, will only get a smaller proportion back. I would also suggest, with all due respect, that if you find your regular medicin traitant intimidating you should change to another, which you are prefectly at liberty to do in France.

[Tony F Dordogne]

As Will has said, you MUST go through a GP along the primary route, if you do not, the costs may well be horrendous and I've heard one story of an insurance company not covering costs for consultants without going through a GP.  Before anybody asks, I didn't go into it any further, just made sure that my cover is good via my GP.

My GP in the Dordogne has told me that there is an excellent training/teaching hospital in Limoges and he refers people there for cardiac problems.  I don't know the name of it (I go the other way to Bordeaux) but your GP will know.

If you fancy the trip, there is also an excellent cardiac unit at Haute Leveque hospital at Bordeaux you can always ask to go there.

[hatfieldmouse]

Thank you so much for your help!!! Your advice has probably saved me lots of money!

I am completely unfamiliar with the french health system. I have not seen an area doctor accept for a brief, mandatory physical for my job and that was 6 months ago. This may sound stupid but what is the best way to find a nearby doctor who could then send me to a cardiologist? Also, being in the education system, I have MGEN insurance on top of the basic insurance provided. I was told that this insurance would cover 100 percent. Is this not true or even possible?

Thank you again! I look forward to reading your response!!!!

hatfieldmouse

[Will]

I think the best way to find a doctor is by personal recommendation from others in the area. Otherwise, then the phone book, or the mairie for your commune, will help you find a doctor. Many people travel some distance to be with the doctor they like.

If you nominate that doctor (through your primary provider of medical assurance) then he/she becomes your medicin traitant and you get reimbursed at normal rate.

Most people have a topup insurance on top of the basic, to make up the shortfall between the actual cost of treatment and the 65%-70%  typically refunded through the French system. It sounds as if this is what you have through MGEN.

The medical insurance system can get complicated, most of the posts you read on the forum refer to CPAM as being the provider, which is true in the case of most users, who don't work or may be salaried. However those of us in certain trades or professions have to deal with different providers. It sounds as if you, in the education system, have such an arrangment.

As it sounds as if you are a non-European citizen you may be one of those who are able to have private medical insurance in France. If that's so, you probably need to talk to your insurer before seeing the specialist.

[Val_2]

We too went through our local doctor here and had a pleasant surprise as the cardiologist spoke better english than us so we were able to discuss things in depth. Its not as expensive as you think visiting specialists here in France as long as you go by the correct route first and the longest we have ever had to wait for an appointment is less than one week,besides your doctor explains it all in a letter which you have to take with you anyway. Be careful of neurologues and their electric needles in your skin if you ever need that one, not very pleasant.

[Deimos]

I saw a cardiologist last summer. Was actually having my pilot medical and the doctor doing that thought my blood pressure may be a bit high so said I should see a cardiologist before he could sign me off. He asked if I had one and I had not (have not even got French medical cover yet !). He gave me the address and contact info for a cardiologist, wrote a letter and told me to call the guy next working day. In fact at 08:50 the next working day the aeronautical test doctor called me at home saying he had spoken to the cardiologist and I should call for an appointment. Had an appointment that week. Cardiologist could not get high blood test readings but in true French medical “more than thorough” manner, I then ended up having 3 appointments for ECG, Doppler ultrasonics, measurements for blood vessel “clogging”/diameter, etc., etc.. Through all these he could find nothing wrong. At the end of the 3rd appointment he dictated a letter into his voice recognition software, printed me out a letter and I left with a report, photos of my insides, etc.

All 100% private and total bill (all three appointments,, everything) 150€. Excellent service, very impressed. Whilst I did get a bit worried at first, I actually did find it reassuring that (given my age) I now know I have no problems with my heart/circulation).

Ian

[Owen]

Register with a GP ("médicin traitant "). See him or her and it is quite possible you could be given an echocardiagram there and then.

But if that is not possible, or is in any case desirable because of your family history. you will be referred to a specialist/cardiologist. With any consultations take your "carte "vitale" and also the card, or proof of affiliation with MGEN, which is the mutuelle for the education profession. It is also the largest "mutuelle" by premium income in France (2004 figures) so you will be well covered. I do not think you will have to pay any money up front if you can provide this documentary proof.

Do not be be put off if you are referred to the teaching hospital (CHU) in Limoges. By many criteria it is in the top 50 hospitals throughout France.

But as others have said your first step is to register with a GP.

Regards

Peter Owen

[email protected]

[Lachouette]

Hi JT

My husband was referred by our medecin traitant to a cardiologist at the clinique Chenieux in Limoges as part of his diabetes management.  The guy we saw was very thorough, and I think it cost around the 100 euros mark for the consultation and report.

A good friend arrived at the same medecin traitant last Monday morning with chest pains and was admitted to the CHU (Dupuytren) in Limoges within the hour, where one of his arteries was unblocked.  He's now recovering on the Cardiology ward and about to come home, and has nothing but praise for the cardiology team.

As everyone else has said, go to your doctor and get yourself referred.

Jan