Healthcare in France > France Healthcare Reports > Expat Health Insurance & Healthcare Guide to France
Expats share their experiences with healthcare and expat health insurance in France.
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I feel that L'Arche is an excellent facility for medical care, but don't expect much from the decor (or lack of) or the food which was borderline horrible. My French is mediocore, and I was never offered assistance with translation. Lucky for me I am a nurse-midwife in the states and understood the majority of the medical jargon since it is all similar.
- I had regular scans, and the very latest technology was made available to me.
- I was monitored closely, given monthly blood tests to check for infection; Group B Strep was thus detected before birth.
- When my baby contracted an infection, he was immediately placed under treatment before he even fell noticeably ill.
Down-sides to this approach were:
- I was given hormones to speed-up labour.
- I was talked into having an epidural.
- I had an "invasive" exam each month of my antenatal care (although this wasn't really a big deal).
Because of my baby's infection, I spent 10 days in the hospital, rooming in with him. Normally, a French stay is about 5 days for a normal birth and 8 after a C-section. I had a private ensuite room and the midwives were very kind.
However, babies are not treated as individuals in France: they are expected to feed once every 4 hours, no more, no less. When he dropped too much weight, I had to fight to prevent them from "supplementing" him with formula.
I didn't share the French ideology about birthing, routines and feeding, but when my baby's weight went up again and his infection began clearing, they left me to do as I pleased. I did feel that they always had mine and my son's medical interests at heart.
Follow-up care was excellent. There is quite a long hospital stay during which I was well cared-for. You are also entitled to physio sessions for your pelvic floor, and you can attend a drop-in clinic (PMI) to monitor your baby's weight, growth, and see a doctor, free of charge.
The Mexico experience was by far, the best. Customer service from both my OB/GYN and the hospital was 5-star. However, episiotomy was nearly "required".
France was a little more bumpy...difficult to find a place to give birth. Paris is over-run with children so you must reserve a hospital or clinic for your due date the second you find out your pregnant or you risk giving birth on your own. Nevertheless, good experience overall.
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Expats often ask if health insurance is free in France or if you need health insurance to go to France. Here is basic information about the French healthcare system.
Expats in France share tips about applying for the Carte Vitale, PUMA, supplemental health insurance, English-speaking doctors in France, having a baby and more.
Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about healthcare and health insurance for expats in France.
Additional information about healthcare and health insurance for foreigners in France.
An expat in Bordeaux talks about hospitals, the importance of supplementary health insurance, the need to keep your own medical records since doctors don't keep them and prescription medicine costs a
It's a small town, so most doctors don't use English much. If you must communicate in English, it would help to research some of the necessary terminology beforehand (perhaps write your questions in F
Learn French! As in any other country, seek a second opinion for serious problems.
Help others moving to France by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in France, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.
Read recent baby reports submitted for La Rochelle and Nice.
If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in France from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Expats often ask if health insurance is free in France or if you need health insurance to go to France. Here is basic information about the French healthcare system.
Expats in France share tips about applying for the Carte Vitale, PUMA, supplemental health insurance, English-speaking doctors in France, having a baby and more.
Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about healthcare and health insurance for expats in France.
Additional information about healthcare and health insurance for foreigners in France.
An expat in Bordeaux talks about hospitals, the importance of supplementary health insurance, the need to keep your own medical records since doctors don't keep them and prescription medicine costs a -
It's a small town, so most doctors don't use English much. If you must communicate in English, it would help to research some of the necessary terminology beforehand (perhaps write your questions in F -
Learn French! As in any other country, seek a second opinion for serious problems. -
Help others moving to France by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in France, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.
Read recent baby reports submitted for La Rochelle and Nice.
If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.
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