When choosing a doctor or dentist in France, ensure that they are "conventionne" (i.e working with the French sickness insurance scheme) - you can obtain a list of the doctors who charge the official social security rate at your local Caisse de Securite Sociale. Following treatment, apply to your nearest CPAM to get your expenses reimbursed. You can also get refunds on prescriptions issued to you, by taking the detachable labels ("vignettes") off the medicine containers, sticking them on the claim form and taking this along with the prescription to the nearest CPAM. Similarly, if you receive treatment in an approved hospital, at least 80%of the cost will be met by the Caisse de Securite Sociale. You are then liable for the balance and also for the daily fixed charge set by the hospital (known as "forfait journalier").

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