Registering at a Doctors in France

[deenie]

Hi, Having recently made the move to France with my husband and 8 month old daughter, I am keen to get advise on registering at a doctors surgery.  Opinions I am getting is that if one of us falls ill, any doctor will see us, within reason, but I am keen for us to register with one doctor, who, like in the UK will have records of our health history.  Obviously I am keen for my daughter to see a health visitor, as she would normally have regular checks in the UK.

Advise greatfully received

[Will]

When you find a doctor that you like, just get hold of the 'medicin traitant' form - the doctor might have a copy or you get it from CPAM or your other primary medical insurer. Or you can download it from here and you and your doctor fill in the relevant bits.

You can see any doctor, but you will only get the full 70% of your reimbursement for treatments organised via or prescribed by your medicin traitant. There is not really a direct equivalent to health visitors, you should visit your doctor for check ups.

[Busy Bee]

The best thing to do for your little one is to contact the PMI - Protection Maternelle et Infantile.  You take your daughter every month (or what ever depending on age group - I seem to think it is obligatory every month for the first 9 months) and they do all the compulsory check ups and vaccines until the child is 6 years old - free of charge.  They don't do general illnesses, so you will still need a generaliste who will keep your records etc but they are baby specialists, can give you loads of advice and they are, of course, super baby friendly - lots of toys, bottle warming etc. 

Regards

Tracy

[deenie]

Thanks Tracy, I plan to go to the town hall and find out where my nearest PMI is.  Do you know what the registering procedure is - we are not residents of France yet, so wonder if we'll be entitled to it?  Thanks

[Sunday Driver]

If you have made the move to France and you are living here, then you are already residents of France.  You should get your main healthcare registration sorted as soon as possible so you are all covered in the event of illness.  Your local PMI will help you through the process with them.