According to the UN, France is the first tourist destination in the world with an average of 77.8 million international visitors each year. Its vibrant culture, emblematic monuments and exceptional cuisine offer an unparalleled experience for every traveler that sets foot there. However, when travelling, no one is sheltered from medical emergencies. Not being prepared enough can be challenging for any sick or injured tourist not familiar with the healthcare machinery in France. In case of a medical emergency, what should you know about the healthcare system in France? And how can MTI 24/7 address your needs if you require an air ambulance?
Air ambulance France: how to get repatriated safely to and from France?
When travelling to France, patients can face several medical challenges requiring air ambulance services.
Though the French healthcare system delivers quality care, tourists in emergency situations often prefer to get repatriated due to costly medical treatments or to be closer to their family members.
French citizens vacationing abroad can also need urgent medical repatriation services for several reasons: they require medical expertise not available locally, the medical infrastructure in their current location is lacking or they prefer to recover in their home country after treatment abroad.
Medical repatriation to and from France can be conducted on an air ambulance with a physician and a paramedic for patients in life-threatening situations. Stable patients can fly commercially with a medical escort, usually a flight nurse or a paramedic, who ensures their safety and comfort during their trip.
Common medical emergencies in France
Though France is not considered to be a high-risk country, travelers should be aware of the most common medical emergencies that they can face there. Those are:
Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Chikungunya and Zika which might cause severe problems;
Severe dehydration, cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) and blood clots caused by heat waves in the summer;
Food poisoning linked to Escherichia Coli virus;
Polytrauma in case of road accidents;
Liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus which can be contracted by contaminated water or food.
How to see a doctor in France as a tourist?
French residents are required to appoint a general practitioner in a public or a private hospital before seeing a specialist. If needed, it is the GP who refers the patient to a specialist. As a non-resident, you are not subject to this rule and can consult a specialist without a prescription from a general practitioner. To find a healthcare professional close to your location, you can browse through the website Annuaire santé. In case of severe medical distress, you can show up at the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
Good to know: English-speaking doctors can be found mostly in large cities in France.
When seeing a doctor in France, you need to make sure that they adhere to the national agreement between practitioners and the French social security system, which means that they charge fixed rates established by the French government. Though it is easier to get an appointment with a practitioner who has opted out of the national fee schedule (docteur non conventionné), their medical fees can be higher.
As a foreigner, you will be required to have health coverage before travelling to France. It can either be a travel insurance, private healthcare insurance or your local health insurance if you are a member of the EU state. It will be particularly helpful in avoiding additional expenses when receiving medical care.
Whenever visiting a doctor, you will need to pay up-front and ask for a ‘’treatment form’’ called a feuille de soins and a prescription if required. You can later submit the claim form to your travel insurance, your private health insurance, local health insurance for reimbursement.
Good to know: Non-residents with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or GHIC for UK residents) can benefit from the same services as anyone covered under the French social security system. Those include medical care, laboratory analyses, medicines, dental care and prosthetics. Patients with an EHIC who have been hospitalized generally benefit from an 80% coverage and those who have visited a doctor typically benefit from a 70% coverage.
What are the pros and cons of France's healthcare system?
Renowned for its excellence culture, the French healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world. Indeed, prioritizing a multidisciplinary approach, the French healthcare system aims to optimize the patient’s journey. However, despite the high quality of care delivered, the French healthcare system has some shortcomings. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of France’s healthcare system.
Pros of the French Healthcare System:
Highly skilled medical professionals
Fast process with no long waiting periods at doctor's offices
Access to next-generation medical treatments
Medical facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology
No referral needed to visit a specialist
Telemedicine options that allow patients to consult medical professionals remotely
Cons of the French Healthcare System:
Shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas (known as "medical deserts")
Overcrowded emergency rooms in hospitals
Inefficient use of new technologies in healthcare pathways
Organizational structure focused on hospital and acute care, leading to prolonged hospital stays
Medical repatriation from France: expert transport for foreign patients
In some cases, patients may deem a medical repatriation from France as imperative. Medical repatriation implies that the patient is transported from France to his country of origin accompanied by a medical team. Reasons that might urge patients to get repatriated from France are:
Costly hospital bills: foreigners who are not insured can be taken aback by the hefty hospitalization bills. In an attempt to avoid huge medical debts, foreign patients prefer to seek medical treatment in their home country.
Reduced mobility: in case of an accident resulting in multiple traumas, the patient can become physically debilitated or can find himself in a situation requiring constant attention. Often, patients facing such challenges prefer to be closer to their loved ones in their home country.
Medical repatriation to France: expert transport for French citizens
The contrary might also be possible, whereby a patient wants to get back to France for better treatment options. French citizens can require medical repatriation services if they are located in less developed countries where the healthcare system is not as optimal as in France.
Cases where French citizens would require medical repatriations are:
In situations where patients are suffering from life-threatening conditions and want to get treated in a familiar environment;
When a lack of medical infrastructure hinders access to proper diagnosis and care;
The need for specific medical expertise unavailable in their current location;
Patients wishing to continue their recovery at home.
Air Ambulance France service for reliable medical transport
Air ambulances can provide a rapid response for patients needing safe and reliable medical repatriation from or to France. Equipped as an intensive care unit, an air ambulance can accommodate severely ill or injured patients. Attended by qualified medical professionals, usually a physician and a paramedic, the patient is under constant medical supervision during his medical flight.
Air ambulances are usually required for time-sensitive transfers and for patients who need advanced medical equipment as well as specialized care. Offering flexibility, air ambulance transportation can usually be organized according to the patient's convenience.
At MTI 24/7, our air ambulance services are patient-oriented which means that we can adapt our medical equipment and crew as per the patient’s need.
Safe medical escort service for flights to and from France
Medical escort services can be considered for stable patients but who require medical assistance during their flight from or to France. During a medical repatriation with a medical escort, a healthcare professional accompanies the patient on a commercial flight, ensuring his safety.
Medical escort flights can take place in business or economy class, depending on the patient's condition. Patients can either be transferred in a seated position in business or economy class or reserve a stretcher flight conducted in economy class. Medical repatriation from or to France with a medical escort can be a cost-effective alternative to air ambulance services, though limited in terms of the medical resources deployed.
We offer medical escort services for patients who are unable to fly commercially without medical attention and take care of the coordination with the airline with the aim of reducing the administrative burden for the patients’ family members.
How much does an air ambulance from or to France cost?
The cost of an air ambulance depends on various factors and most importantly, the patient’s health condition. It is hence impossible to provide an exact answer without being aware of the patient’s health status and other parameters, such as:
The means of transport;
The distance flown;
The medical team and equipment mobilized;
The number of accompanying persons;
The need for ground transportation;
The urgency of the request.
Get in touch with us. Our team can provide you with a detailed and non-binding quotation for your air ambulance transfer.
Benefits of choosing our medical flights to or from France
Teaming up with trusted partners around the world, we provide reliable and swift medical transportation services. Our worldwide medical flights come with several perks for our patients as well as their families:
Customized medical repatriation solutions: we provide tailored transport solutions to meet the requirements of our patients as well as to ensure their safety and comfort.
Global reach: our medical repatriation services are available around the world and we can provide a timely response for our patient wherever he may be.
Bed-to-bed-service: we not only take care of organizing the flight but also ensure that the patient is transferred from his hospital bed till his final destination with an adequate medical crew as seamlessly as possible. This involves thorough coordination with relevant parties, obtaining the necessary authorizations and making necessary arrangements for ground transportation.
Time-effectiveness: we deploy every effort to enable swift transfers to or from France via air ambulances or commercial flights.
Uninterrupted medical assistance: highly experienced medical professionals are dispatched to deliver care, assistance and support during our medical flights.
Multilingual team at your service: our team is fluent in 15 languages, including French and English, guaranteeing a smooth communication with everyone involved.
At MTI 24/7, responsiveness and compassion is at the heart of our services and we are committed to delivering the most efficient solutions while focusing on our patients’ well-being.
Contact us for efficient air ambulance and medical escort services
Looking for air ambulance or medical escort transport to or from France? Contact us today! Our team is available 24/7 to help you find the most suitable air medical transport solution and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
Reach us by:
Phone: USA: +1 646 335 06 83 / UK: +44 20 3608 0959
Email: info@mti-247.com
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