Administrative assistance for the French healthcare system
Where should I send my sick leave certificate?
The doctor has issued you a sick leave. They can do it either online or in paper format.
With the paper version, you need to send it to your primary health insurance fund (CPAM) and to your employer within 48 hours.
In the case of the online version, you only have the section intended for the employer, which you need to submit within 48 hours.
Where do I send my medical claim form?
If you apply for the french health insurance but you don't have the 'vital card' yet, complete the treatment form and send it to your French primary health insurance fund (CPAM) (see below how to find where).
If you reside abroad or do not have French health insurance, you must send this treatment form to your personal insurance and/or your supplementary health insurance to request reimbursement.
What should I do if I lose my French health insurance "vitale" card or if I don't have any ?
If you require care, healthcare professionals will provide you with a paper treatment form so that you can be reimbursed by your own health insurance.
If you lose your French 'vitale card', you should notify your health insurance fund (CPAM) as soon as possible to request a new one. You can do this online from your Ameli account.
Am I entitled to a transportation voucher?
This only applies to patients covered by french social security.
Transport vouchers relate to medical appointments or scheduled hospitalizations. Transportation costs are covered by french health insurance only under certain conditions. Generally, to obtain reimbursement, the transport must be linked to a long-term illness (ALD) or a work accident, and you must present a defined incapacity or limitation in mobility.
Please note that you don't need a voucher for urgent hospitalization!
Where is my primary health insurance fund?
You can find out your primary health insurance fund (CPAM) by calling them directly at 3646 or through your AMELI online account. There is one for each department. Generally, you are affiliated with the CPAM of the department where your primary residence is located. If Tignes is your primary residence, you should be affiliated with the CPAM of Chambéry (73).
Note that the CPAM are services of french social security that handle health expense reimbursements for individuals under the 'general regime,' meaning most employees and self-employed individuals. (Agricultural professions and employees of the french railway network, among others, are managed by different organizations.)
How do I report a workplace accident?
If you work on a french contract, you have 24 hours to notify your employer, specifying the date, time, location, and circumstances of the accident. The employer has 48 hours to report the accident to your primary health insurance fund (CPAM) and to provide you with the work accident declaration (form S6201 cerfa 11383*02).
A doctor must also confirm the accident by writing a medical certificate. They will provide you with a copy of this certificate and must send the other sections to your CPAM.
If your are not on a french employment contract, you need to ask your own employer or insurance to know the exact procedure.