Embedded Files
Full-time (degree-seeking) Parsons Paris students studying in France are expected to enroll into the French national health insurance system (also known as 'Ameli' or 'Sécurité Sociale'). Enrollment is free.
Students who enroll
will be eligible for reimbursement up to 60-70% for certain medical services
will receive a French social security number that permits them to legally intern and work in France (note: EU students who hope to intern or work in France must also have a French social security number)
will be eligible to enroll in the PDPG program upon graduation (note: EU students who hope to enroll in the PDPG must also have a French social security number)
The process to sign up can take several weeks / several months so don't wait too long to begin. You may lose out on an internship opportunity!
You are encouraged to read through the information and guides below to see if your question or concern is already addressed. If it is not, please contact studentlifeparis@newschool.edu.
FRENCH NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (AMELI) FOR NON-EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS
FRENCH NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (AMELI) FOR NON-EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
French Sécurité Sociale, commonly known as AMELI, is the French National Health Care System. It covers approximately 60-70% of healthcare related costs in France. Students may also choose to enroll in a secondary insurance plan (called a Mutuelle, see below) to help cover the remaining costs.
Parsons Paris degree-seeking students who are not citizens of European-Union member countries are expected to enroll in AMELI. Enrollment is free, however there may be a cost for translating certain required documents into French or another EU language.
All internships (for fashion weeks, less than 2 months, longer than 2 months, etc.) require you to have a French social security number, which can only be obtained by enrolling in the system. Enrolling can take several weeks to several months so it is best to begin the process as soon as possible.
Mobility and Visiting Students: Mobility students with TNA-AETNA or UHC for new students are required to maintain enrollment in their healthcare plan and we recommend that students with private insurance maintain enrollment in their healthcare plans while abroad, even if they do not have any pre-existing medical conditions. Should any major illness or injury abroad require an early return home, students would want to have access to healthcare coverage in their home country.
Important: If a student has waived their TNA-AETNA or UHC for new students insurance, it is their responsibility to ensure that their private health insurance will cover the student abroad. If not, the student must purchase additional insurance that will.
Additionally, mobility and visiting students do have the right to enroll in the French Sécurité Sociale. While all students who possess a student visa can enroll in the French Sécurité Sociale, it is not recommended unless the student plans to work or intern because the enrollment process in order to receive a social security number can take months.
HOW TO ENROLL IN AMELI / SÉCURITÉ SOCIALE?
You can attend workshops hosted by Student Life on enrolling in the French healthcare system. You will be guided by a member of Student Life through the process. Workshop times and dates are announced via Canvas, so turn on notifications / enable emails from Canvas in your settings so you don't miss out. We highly recommend you come for a workshop in case you encounter any complications.
You can also use our prepared self-guided manuals to go through the process yourself or with classmates.
Step 1:
Students will first enroll on the site created for new foreign students in France. A waiting period that varies is required for a student's enrollment to be reviewed and verified. Please use the Step 1 manual to go step-by-step through the initial enrollment process.
Step 2:
The student will then be contacted by AMELI by post mail inviting them to register on the site for permanent residents, meaning someone staying longer than a few weeks in France. Please use the Step 2 manual to go step-by-step on registering on the permenant site and obtaining a carte vitale (the national health care card in France).
ISSUES OR REQUESTS RELATED TO AMELI?
For any issues with your Ameli Étudiant Étranger account, contact the
AMELI ENGLISH PHONE LINE: 09 74 75 36 46
AMELI FRENCH PHONE LINE: 36 46
If you need to mail in any document(s), send by La Poste to the following address if you live in Paris. If you live outside of Paris please search for the CPAM office linked to your department.
Assurance Maladie de Paris
75948 PARIS CEDEX 19
You can submit other documentation to Ameli online now!!
If the options above do not resolve the issue, contact Student Life (studentlifeparis@newschool.edu).
FRENCH NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (AMELI) FOR EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS
FRENCH NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (AMELI) FOR EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
French Sécurité Sociale, commonly known as AMELI, is the French National Health Care System. It covers approximately 60-70% of healthcare related costs in France. Students may also choose to enroll in a secondary insurance plan (called a Mutuelle, see below) to help cover the remaining costs.
Enrollment is free.
All internships (for fashion weeks, less than 2 months, longer than 2 months, etc.) require you to have a French social security number, which can only be obtained by enrolling in the system. Enrolling can take several weeks to several months so it is best to begin the process as soon as possible.
Students who are citizens of European-Union member countries are not required to register with the AMELI if they have obtained a European Health Insurance card (EHIC) in their home country before arriving in France. However, it is still strongly recommended that they enroll since it’s free and required if you want to legally intern or work in France.
Mobility and Visiting Students: Mobility students with TNA-AETNA or UHC for new students are required to maintain enrollment in their healthcare plan and we recommend that students with private insurance maintain enrollment in their healthcare plans while abroad, even if they do not have any pre-existing medical conditions. Should any major illness or injury abroad require an early return home, students would want to have access to healthcare coverage in their home country.
Important: If a student has waived their TNA-AETNA or UHC for new students insurance, it is their responsibility to ensure that their private health insurance will cover the student abroad. If not, the student must purchase additional insurance that will.
Additionally, mobility and visiting students do have the right to enroll in the French Sécurité Sociale. While all students who possess a student visa can enroll in the French Sécurité Sociale, it is not recommended unless the student plans to work or do an internship because the waiting time to be processed and receive a temporary social security number can take months.
HOW TO ENROLL IN AMELI / SÉCURITÉ SOCIALE?
You can attend workshops hosted by Student Life on enrolling in the French healthcare system. You will be guided by a member of Student Life through the process. Workshop times and dates are announced via Canvas, so turn on notifications / enable emails from Canvas in your settings so you don't miss out. We highly recommend you come for a workshop in case you encounter any complications.
You can also use our prepared self-guided manuals to go through the process yourself or with classmates.
Step 1:
Students will first enroll on the site created for new foreign students in France. A waiting period that varies is required for a student's enrollment to be reviewed and verified. Please use the Step 1 manual to go step-by-step through the initial enrollment process.
Step 2:
The student will then be contacted by AMELI by post mail inviting them to register on the site for permanent residents, meaning someone staying longer than a few weeks in France. Please use the Step 2 manual to go step-by-step on registering on the permenant site and obtaining a carte vitale (the national health care card in France).
ISSUES OR REQUESTS RELATED TO AMELI?
For any issues with your Ameli Étudiant Étranger account, contact the
AMELI ENGLISH PHONE LINE: 09 74 75 36 46
AMELI FRENCH PHONE LINE: 36 46
If you need to mail in any document(s), send by La Poste to the following address if you live in Paris. If you live outside of Paris please search for the CPAM office linked to your department.
Assurance Maladie de Paris
75948 PARIS CEDEX 19
You can submit other documentation to Ameli online now!!
If the options above do not resolve the issue, contact Student Life (studentlifeparis@newschool.edu).
MUTUELLE - COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH INSURANCE
MUTUELLE - COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH INSURANCE
WHAT IS A MUTUELLE OR A COMPLÉMENTAIRE SANTÉ IN FRENCH HEALTHCARE?
While most doctors’ offices won’t break the bank in France, other healthcare services can get expensive. Dental care (such as teeth cleanings) and ophthalmology (such as glasses or contact lenses) have really low reimbursement rates compared to the cost of services. If you expect to need certain prescription medications that are reimbursed at a low rate, or require significant dental or eye care, you may want to consider getting a mutuelle.
A mutuelle is a complementary health insurance plan that covers what AMELI doesn’t.
For doctors’ visits, depending on the mutuelle, you may be reimbursed
the 30% not covered by AMELI for a Secteur 1 Tarif Conventionné doctor
200-300% of the “tarif conventionné” for a Secteur 2 doctor
300-500% of the "tarif conventionné" for dental, eye care and prescription medications.
For a hospital stay, depending on the mutuelle, you may be reimubursed
for some of the cost of a private room
if you have to arrive by taxi
HOW MUCH DOES A MUTUELLE COST?
Like other forms of health insurance, the monthly rate you’ll pay for a mutuelle depends on several factors: your age and gender, your status (student, salaried employee, unemployed, etc.) and where you live.
Some companies offer a mutuelle through a collective coverage agreement (similar to employer-sponsored healthcare in the United States). The collective pool pays part of the cost and reduces out-of-pocket expenses.
Other mutuelles are sold directly to consumers, at all different prices and coverage amounts, but prices typically range from €25-40 per month.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A MUTUELLE?
There are a few different ways to sign up for a Mutuelle if you’d like complementary healthcare:
Through your university: Parsons Paris works with SMERRA to offer mutuelle plans for our students. Click here to learn more about the SMERRA options and to enroll. You can also click on the button to the right.
HeyMe is another supplementary health insurance designed for international students.
SMEREP or LMDE both offer low-cost complementary student health plans. Check out their health plans using your preferred web browser to see if you’re eligible. There is information for students who are over 28 as well, as student services are sometimes limited to students 26 and under.
Purchase individually on the open market: Prices and reimbursements can vary greatly from one provider to another, so do your homework before signing up for a plan. There are several online price comparison tools that you can use by entering your age and gender to get a price estimate.
Here are two platforms, where you can compare mutuelles: Comparateur-mutuelle.eu & http://comparateurdemutuellesanté.fr
Through your employer: If you have an employment contract, check with the human resources department in your company (or the Rectorat for language assistants) to see what mutuelle options are offered to employees.
Through your partner's employer: If you are PACSed or married to someone living and working in France, your partner can request through their employer to add you as a beneficiary to their health insurance plan for a cost.
DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS IN FRANCE
DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS IN FRANCE
We are here to support you and help you navigate smoothly through the French healthcare system. That can include assisting you with booking medical appointments, including doctors and specialists, recommending English-speaking healthcare professionals, finding the right place to get blood tests, x-rays etc. and much more!
HOW TO SCHEDULE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT IN FRANCE?
France created an online directory system for healthcare professionals called DOCTOLIB. On this site you can search for healthcare professionals by type, languages spoken & location, learn about a doctor's specialties and costs, and schedule an appointment. We strongly encourage students to become familiar with Doctolib (you can use it on your computer or download the app) to be able to book appointments online.
While Doctolib is the primary method for finding and scheduling an appointment with a healthcare professional, it is also possible to call the office or walk in if you are unable to schedule an appointment online.
Anyone can book an appointment to see a doctor in Paris, you do not need to show proof of insurance. If you do have proof of insurance, make sure to bring it with you so you can be properly reimbursed in a timely manner. Doctors will almost always ask that you pay up front (typically about 20-50 euros for a general practitioner). Then, depending on your insurance, you can request reimbursement from the French National Health Insurance (Ameli) or your personal insurance.
You can use our prepared self-guided manual located at the bottom of this page to go through the process yourself or with a classmate or two.
We have a list of doctors that students have used in the past here, categorized according to languages the doctor speaks. (Please know that doctor may not be completely bilingual.)
Attendance Policy at Parsons Paris:
Please be aware that in order for an absence from school to be excused for medical/mental health reasons, you will need to provide an official note from a doctor in France excusing you from class. Proof of an appointment or a medical prescription are not acceptable. Please make sure to ask the doctor for such a note during your appointment.
The doctor's note:
must be written in French or in English
must be given by a doctor located in France
must be dated with the day of the visit and the specific days the doctor excuses you to be absent. Doctors cannot retroactively excuse you (i.e. if you are sick on Monday but only see the doctor on Tuesday, the doctor cannot excuse you for Monday).
must be sent to your faculty with your academic advisor cc'd in the email
EMERGENCY ROOMS & HOSPITALS IN FRANCE
EMERGENCY ROOMS & HOSPITALS IN FRANCE
If you are experiencing a health emergency please see the list of important emergency numbers below:
Ambulance and EMT (emergency medical technician): 15
In French this service is called the 'SAMU' - Service d'aide medicale urgente
Police: 17
In French this service is called 'la police'
Fire department: 18
In French this service is called 'les pompiers' or 'les sapeurs-pompiers'
European Emergency Services: 112
In case of general emergency, should be able to request an English-speaking operator
HOSPITALS
There are good hospitals in virtually every neighborhood in Paris, and in case of an emergency, the ambulance will bring you to the nearest emergency room. English is spoken among medical personnel, but not necessarily all medical personnel. Please understand not all medical personnel will speak English bilingually.
There are two hospitals in Paris where English is more widely spoken amongst the personnel.
The American Hospital Paris - 63 Boulevard Victor Hugo, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine Tel.: 01 46 41 25 25
Please know that this is a private hospital with higher costs. You may need to pay for services up front and you will be billed upon leaving. You may be reimbursed by AMELI (if you are enrolled) or by your own insurance depending on the care you received. You can use Doctolib to book an appointment at this hospital.
L'Hôpital franco-britannique - 4 rue Kléber – 92300 Levallois-Perret Tel.: 01 47 59 59 59
This hospital offers a range of medical services including emergency care, general medicine, surgery, and specialized treatments within the French health care system. You can use Doctolib to book an appointment at this hospital.
These are two suggested hospitals that operate within the French health care system:
Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu - 1 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris ; Tel.:01 42 34 87 00 ou 86 78
Hopital Saint Antoine - 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris ; Tel.: 01 49 28 20 00
If you need a hospital that specializes in gynecology:
Hospital Saint Joseph - 185 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris - Tel.: 01 44 12 33 33
Unités Médico Judiciaires are medical centers that collaborate with judicial authorities. For example, if someone is the victim of a violent robbery, these centers can both provide medical attention and collect evidence in order to report a crime.
HEALTH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HEALTH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR AND I HAVEN'T ENROLLED IN AMELI YET / DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE YET?
You can see a doctor in France even if you don't have insurance. A doctor cannot refuse to see you if you do not have insurance. You will need to pay upfront. It will be possible to be reimbursed if you keep your receipts and submit them to your insurance provider in a timely manner. Please read through the manuals at the bottom of this page to learn more about the French national health system.
I AM TOO SICK TO LEAVE MY HOUSE. CAN I SEE A DOCTOR?
There is a service that can come to your home if you are too sick to leave called S.O.S. Medicin.
This is a 24/7 service in Paris which sends a doctor directly to your apartment. While house calls aren't common in every country, S.O.S. Medecin is a frequently-used service in Paris. Wait times for the doctor to arrive vary in function of how busy their service is, ranging typically between 1 to 3 hours. It costs around 100-150 euros which needs to be paid directly to the doctor when they see you. You can request to be sent to an English-speaking doctor.
You can schedule a visit online after creating an account. If that is not possible you can also call 3624 (if you a French phone number) or +33 (0)1 47 07 77 77 (if you have an international phone number). It is important to note that the operator will request a French phone number to contact in case the doctor is unable to find your apartment.
When you call make sure you are prepared to provide:
Your name
Your birthdate,
Your nationality
A phone number (ideally a French number)
How you will pay (cash or credit card)
Your address and instructions for how to enter your apartment including codes/interphone name, building number, stairs or elevator, floor, door, etc.
WHAT ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH?
Sexual health is important like physical, mental and emotional health. If you feel like you may have been exposed to or have been infected with an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or an STD (sexually transmitted disease) you should seek out the help of a medical professional through Doctolib. If needed, you can contact Student Life (studentlifeparis@newschool.edu) and / or Student Support (berndtsb@newschool.edu).
If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV during sex and you are HIV-negative or you don't know your HIV status, you should take PEP. (Exposure to HIV can happen if a condom breaks, if you have unprotected sex, if your partner ejaculated in your mouth for example.) PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. This is a type of antiretroviral (ART) taken after being potentially exposed to HIV to possibly prevent becoming infected. It involves taking HIV medications as soon as possible after a single high-risk event (ideally within 4 hours and up to 48 hours after exposure). This treatment has to be taken for 4 weeks. All partners involved should seek out a consult with a medical professional and take PEP, if possible.
To procure PEP and other guidance you can go to your local or nearest hospital and seek information in the emergency room (Accident and Emergency Unit) or from the Infectious Diseases Department -- you might be reoriented to a CGID (free and anonymous Center for STI / STD screening).
You can also call Sida Info Service (AIDS Help hotline), available 24/7 by calling +33 800 840 800 (the call is anonymous and free of charge if you are calling from a landline).
Planning Familial is a resource for access, information and guidance around sexual health, contraception, LGBTQIA+ and more in France. You can look through their website, call their hotline or go in person to the closest center near you.
Click here to go directly to the site for the centers located in Paris.
The hormonal emergency contraception or "morning after pill" or emergency contraception pill can be dispensed in a city pharmacy, free of charge, without medical prescription and without advance payment, to any minor or adult. More information here
Instrumental (surgical) IVG
The cost of an instrumental abortion is reimbursed by Ameli at 100% on the basis of a flat rate.This rate is between €579.06 and €830.06 depending on the health institution (hospital or clinic), the type of anesthesia (local or general) and the duration of hospitalization.
Medical abortion in health facilities
The cost of a medical abortion, in a health institution (hospital, clinic), is reimbursed by Health Insurance at 100% on the basis of a flat rate set at €353.64.
Medical abortion in city medicine
The cost of a city medical abortion (medical office, health center, sexual health center called before family planning and education center) is reimbursed by Health Insurance at 100%, with rates set by decree at each stage.
Report abuse