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The welcome team has compiled a list of all the questions you might have about healthcare when you come to study at Aix-Â鶹tv:

• Can I be reimbursed for my healthcare costs in France?
• Is it compulsory for exchange students from outside Europe to join the French Social Security system?
• How do I join the Social Security system?
• What is covered by French Social Security?
• What is a Social Security number?
• What is a mutuelle?
• What is the difference between the CPAM, social security, health insurance, Améli and the carte vitale?
• Why and how do I declare a general practitioner?
• What supporting documents do I need to join the Social Security system?
• Does my birth certificate need to be translated into French?
• What is a RIB?
• Is there a medical support service at AMU?
• Does the telephone number on the application form have to be French?
• What arrangements are there for students with disabilities?
• What French emergency numbers do I need to know?
• Which hospitals are closest to AMU?
• What are the health measures related to COVID?
• Do I need to have my birth certificate translated into French?
• Is a chest x-ray compulsory?
• Can I have a chest x-ray before arriving in France?
• Where can I get a chest x-ray in France?
• How much does a mandatory chest x-ray cost?
• Can I use a prescription from my Â鶹tv country in France?
   

• Do you have another question? Visit the !

   

Can I be reimbursed for my healthcare costs in France?

YES. Whether you are a European or non-European student, you can be reimbursed for your healthcare costs in France. For Europeans, you'll need to present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will allow you to be reimbursed on the same basis as your Â鶹tv country. If you are a student from outside Europe, you will need to register with the French national health insurance scheme (Sécurité sociale) to benefit from the same coverage as French students.
For more information, visit the page Health-related procedures.

Is it compulsory for exchange students from outside Europe to join the Social Security?

It is strongly recommended for exchange students join the French social security. However, this is not compulsory if they already have insurance in their Â鶹tv country that covers them during their stay in France.

Health coverage for the exchange students affiliated to the French social security automatically ends when the residence permet expires.

How do I register for Social Security?

Non-European international students must register for Social Security on the , available in French and English. For full details, see our page on Health-related procedures!

What is covered by the French Social Security?

As part of the coordinated healthcare pathway and based on the Social Security rate, the usual reimbursement rates are:

80% for hospitalization,
70% for medical consultations and X-ray examinations,
65% to 30% for drugs.

If you subscribe to a complementary health insurance plan, this will reimburse the remaining percentage not covered by Social Security.

What is a Social Security number?

Registration in the French National Register of Identification of Individuals (RNIPP) gives rise to the allocation of a registration number (NIR). The NIR is also known as the "Social Security number". It consists of 13 digits and is completed by a 2-digit control key. If you were born abroad, the 2-digit department code is replaced by 99 and the commune code by an Insee code for the country of birth.

What is complementary health insurance?

Complementary health insurance, also known as "mutuelle", is designed to supplement Social Security reimbursements and thus reduce, in whole or in part, the percentage of costs not covered by the basic compulsory health insurance scheme. This insurance is not free, but is highly recommended. However, students on modest incomes may, in certain cases, be eligible for the "complémentaire santé" from the health insurance scheme.
Visit our Health-related procedures page to find out more!

What's the difference between the CPAM, Social Security, Assurance Maladie, Ameli and the carte Vitale?

• The Assurance Maladie (health insurance) is a branch of the French social security system that insures individuals in the event of accident or illness. It provides compulsory health protection, guaranteeing you access to care whatever your resources, situation or state of health.
   
• The acronym CPAM stands for "caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (CPAM)". This is the name given to the departmental agencies of the Assurance Maladie.
   
• Ameli is the name of the Assurance Maladie
   
• As soon as you have been assigned a definitive social security number, you can create an account on ameli.fr and request your carte Vitale (French health insurance card) by following the instructions you receive. Your carte Vitale contains all the information you need to have your healthcare costs reimbursed. By presenting it to your doctor, you can be sure of being automatically reimbursed within a week, with no need to send in a claim form. It is not a payment card, and contains no consultation, operation or examination results. 
   

Why and how to declare a preferred doctor?

The preferred doctor, freely chosen by all, keeps the patient's medical records up to date, coordinates the patient's care and centralizes the opinions of other caregivers. This is the doctor you go to when you fall ill (except in an emergency, when you go to the hospital emergency department).
The declaration of choice of preferred doctor can be made at your first appointment with the doctor. In agreement with your doctor, he or she can make the declaration online to your Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM), during the consultation. It's quick and easy, and your declaration of choice of preferred doctor is immediately registered by your Social Security (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie).

Finding a doctor couldn't be easier: consult the Assurance Maladie health directory or book your appointment in just a few clicks on the .

What supporting documents do I need to join the Social Security?

• A certificate of registration for the current year
• Proof of identity
• A student visa
• Proof of marital status
• Residence permit
• RIB (bank details)

Does the birth certificate need to be translated into French?

No, a translation of the birth certificate is not required for the CPAM file. If necessary, it will be handled by their department.

What is a RIB?

A RIB (relevé d'identité bancaire) is a document containing the identity and bank details of the holder of a bank account. The RIB required for Social Security membership must come from a French banking institution.

Does the phone number to be included in the application have to be French?

A French phone number is not required to register for Social Security online. International numbers are accepted by the platform. However, you will be asked for a French telephone number when you create your space on the .

Is there a medical support service within amU?

The Service universitaire de Santé Etudiante (SSE) or the university student health service is open to all students enrolled at Â鶹tv. Its mission is to monitor students' health and develop preventive and health education initiatives.

Students enrolled at the university can benefit from:

• nursing interviews
• medical consultations
• psychology consultations
• sophrology sessions
• oral and dental screening

What facilities are available for students with disabilities?

Â鶹tv's Mission Handicap (Â鶹tv's disability program) welcomes and supports students with physical, sensory or psychological disabilities, dyslexia or long-term disabling health conditions. It offers measures adapted to each student throughout his or her university career. See the dedicated page for more information.

The SSE can issue certificates for study or exam accommodations for students with disabilities.

What French emergency numbers do I need to know?

• SAMU - Health emergency service: 15
• Fire department - road accident, fire, etc.: 18
• Gendarmerie - Police Secours: 17
• European emergency services number: 112
• National Suicide Prevention number: 3114

Find all French emergency numbers on the .

You can also contact amU's Service pour le Respect et l'Egalité (service for respect and equality ), a service offering help in situations of sexist and sexual violence, and all forms of discrimination and harassment, by telephone on 04 13 550 550 or by e-mail: respect-egalite@univ-amu.fr

Which are the nearest hospitals to amU?

Find all the addresses and contact details of hospitals in the region on the ESS page.

What are the COVID-related health measures?

As of August 1, 2022, sanitary border controls have been lifted. We invite you to consult the government website to find out more about Covid-related sanitary measures.

In addition, rules are in place concerning the wearing of masks in certain places. Consult the government for more information.

Is a chest x-ray compulsory?

Yes, a chest x-ray is compulsory for students from outside Europe. The university health center will invite you to a preventive health examination, during which you will be asked to provide the results of your chest x-ray.

Can I have a chest x-ray before arriving in France?

You can have this medical examination carried out in your country of origin, but it will only be valid in France if it was performed no more than 3 months before your arrival and the results are in French.

Where can I get a chest X-ray in France?

You can consult the list of CLAT (Centre de Lutte Antituberculeuse) centers where you can have your chest x-ray on the university website.

How much does a mandatory chest x-ray cost?

The CLAT covers the cost of this examination, so you won't have to pay anything.

Is it possible to use a prescription from my country of origin in France?

No, it is not possible to use a foreign prescription in France. The prescriber must be a healthcare professional registered with the Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins.