How do hospital fees work in france?

WE LOOK AT WHAT IS COVERED BY THE STATE AND WHAT IS LEFT FOR THE PATIENT OR HEALTHCARE TOP-UP INSURANCE TO PAY The price of care from public hospitals is heavily regulated in France as part

of a hybrid public/private system that offers comprehensive coverage to most people for little expense. The system is designed to ensure that healthcare is accessible even for people without

the means to pay. In particular, urgent care is available even for people who are not in the Assurance maladie system, irrespective of whether the hospital is public or private. However,

the sprawling French hospital system is far from simple to navigate, and varies depending on your insurance coverage (or lack of), your department, and your healthcare needs. READ ALSO:

MEDICINES IN FRANCE WILL COST PATIENTS MORE FROM SPRING READ ALSO: HOW DOES YOUR LOCAL FRENCH HOSPITAL FARE IN OFFICIAL QUALITY RANKINGS? HOW FEES WORK Fees do not have to be paid until you

leave the hospital and all now use the _tiers payant_ system, which means that if you have a top-up insurance provider, it will pay the hospital directly. In public hospitals or _cliniques

privées conventionnées_ (private clinics that have signed an agreement with the state) fees include several elements: _FORFAIT HOSPITALIER _- a daily €20 charge towards accommodation, meals

and laundry etc.. This is not reimbursed by the state but most _mutuelles _(optional top-up healthcare insurance) cover it. _FRAIS D’HOSPITALISATION _– a bill for services of the hospital’s

medical staff and costs of medicine and equipment. The state reimburses 80% of this total. The rate varies depending on the hospital and department and can mount up to as much as €3,000 a

day in intensive care. Certain procedures, usually those with a tariffs of at least €120, are considered to be_ actes lourds_, and as such are fully reimbursed by the state - minus a fixed

payment of €24. Similarly, certain long-term conditions, known as _affectations longue durée_ (ALD) are fully reimbursed by the state. A list of these conditions is available HERE. After 30

days in hospital the _frais d’hospitalisation_ is paid for in full by the state. COMFORT OPTIONS - these include supplements on top of the_ frais d’hospitalisation_ bill and covers things

like having a private room with a TV or a telephone. A private room typically costs around €60 in a public hospital, or €100 in a private clinic, however, these can vary considerably. Note

that if your health condition necessitates a private room, as opposed to a shared one, you will not be billed extra for it - unless you decide to pay for extra options. READ MORE: DO YOU

NEED TO TAKE YOUR OWN TOWELS FOR A HOSPITAL STAY IN FRANCE? DÉPASSEMENTS D’HONORAIRES - some practitioners charge excess fees above the standard rates for treatment. However, this is rare in

hospitals. You will be informed if a medical act requires excess fees. Be aware that not all top-ups pay them entirely. AN EXAMPLE OF FRENCH HOSPITAL FEES For a three day stay in hospital:

* _Forfait hospitalier_: €20 ✕ 3 = €60 * _Frais d’hospitalisation_: €257 ✕ 3 = €831 * 80% or €664.80 of this is covered by the state leaving €166.20 * Individual room: €43.62 ✕ 3 = €130.86 *

Total: €357.06 This is to be paid by the patient or the top-up insurance provider. WHO GETS COMPLETELY FREE HOSPITAL TREATMENT? * Pregnant women during the last four months of pregnancy,

when giving birth or in the 12 days after giving birth. * Infants younger than 30 days * People with modest revenues who have the_ complémentaire santé solidaire_ and an eligible _mutuelle_

* People with the _aide médicale d’État_ (AME) * People hospitalised after an accident at work or due to a work-related illness * People in hospital care at home * Disabled children under

the age of 20 who are in specialised state or professional care establishments * People on the Alsace-Moselle insurance system * People with military pensions * Victims of terrorism WHAT IF

YOU DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE? First, note that you will not be denied treatment. If you do not have insurance and do not have the means to pay having received medical treatment, you

might qualify_ aide médicale de l'État_ (AME) or the _Complémentaire santé solidaire_ (CSS). READ MORE: CLAIMING FREE OR CHEAPER TOP-UP FRENCH HEALTH INSURANCE TO GET EASIER READ MORE:

EXPLAINER: THE CSS, FRANCE’S FREE OR LOW COST TOP-UP HEALTH INSURANCE Typically, the AME requires people to request this nine months before seeking medical treatment. However, if care is

required urgently, a doctor can request that a patient be exempted from this nine month delay. Applications for the CSS, intended for people with modest revenues, are typically processed in

two months, however it gives immediate cover as a top-up when granted. Some top-up insurers also offer immediate coverage, even for ongoing hospital treatment. _FOR MORE INFORMATION ON

FRENCH HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALS CONSULT OUR GUIDE TO HEALTHCARE IN FRANCE._ READ MORE HOW DOES HOSPITAL AND OTHER MEDICAL TRANSPORT WORK IN FRANCE? MORE FRENCH MAYORS NEGOTIATE TOP-UP HEALTH

COVER FOR RESIDENTS 7 POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING TOP-UP HEALTH INSURANCE IN FRANCE