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Doctors Across France to Begin Boycotting Carte Vitale

Starting today your local GP could refuse to accept your carte vitale

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Tignes Editor Updated

After the strikes over the festive period this is the next step that GPs are taking in their long battle against the proposed health care reforms.

For those of us who are 'in the French system' but not in possession of a physical carte vitale this initially doesn't sound as though it will be a problem...however the repercussions of the proposed boycott will affect all people within the French healthcare system in one way or another.

If your carte vitale is refused then you will have to pay for your treatment up front and you will then be given a form to complete in order to claim a reimbursement. There are obvious drawbacks to this service as more claims being entered will no doubt cause a delay with the processing and payment.

In addition to this, even if your GP does accept your carte vitale, there is a chance that information will only be transmitted once a month instead of several times a week as would normally be the case. In either senario there is likely to be a huge amount of paperwork, and additional paperwork, for the social security offices to deal with. Repayments could be delayed for up to two months or even longer.

This is the first time in 13 years that doctors have undertaken a strike of this nature and it is hoped that it will have the desired affect and that the government will reassess their health reforms.

So if you have to take a trip to your local GP, be prepared that your carte vitale may not be accepted or at the very least you may be waiting a while for your reimbursement!


You will not be affected if you are not part of the French system and instead have an EHIC card, or similar reciprocal agreement with your country of residence. See our Health & Emergencies section for information on how to pay for and reclaim your treatment costs.