Is my operation in a French private clinic reimbursable?
We answer a reader question: Will I be reimbursed if I have an operation in a private clinic in France?
Question:
My doctor has suggested I have an operation in a private clinic 鈥� will this be reimbursed by the French social security system? G.F.
Answer:
This depends on whether or not the private clinic has a partnership with the state assurance maladie system. If it does, it is referred to as a clinique priv茅e conventionn茅e and your hospitalisation costs will be covered on the same basis as if you have the operation in a public hospital.
This is a common arrangement and many French 鈥渉ospitals鈥� come under this banner. Strictly speaking, the term 丑么辫颈迟补濒 refers only to state-run establishments. In this case, the assurance maladie covers 80-100% of basic hospitalisation costs, minus 鈧�20/day called the forfait journalier. Where someone is in the clinic for a procedure normally costing 鈧�120 or more (un acte lourd), the reimbursement is at 100% minus a set figure of 鈧�24.
Apart from the forfait journalier, you may have to pay any d茅passements d鈥檋onoraires 鈥� amounts over and above the usual state tariff 鈥� practised by your doctor/s and for any extras you asked for, such as having a private room. Some of these costs may be covered by your mutuelle top-up insurance, if you have one. Check the clinic鈥檚 status with your doctor to avoid ending up paying in full.
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