Paris Bonne Santé (And Sanity Too)

There are few things worse than being a sick stranger in a strange land, except when you’re also trying to function in a strange language. Thankfully, health care in Paris is relatively accessible for internationals, and especially English speakers. However, health care can be more piecemeal than you might otherwise experience: you might visit a doctor at his or her residence, be sent to a lab analysis center for tests and results, revisit the doctor for the actual analysis, and then pick up any prescriptions at a pharmacy. While this may be more of a hassle, it can also be a much more personal, and therefore more thorough (and comforting) experience. Depending on your insurance provider, you will be eligible for reimbursements for lab tests and results, doctors visits, and medications. Just make sure to keep receipts of all doctor’s visits, tests, and medications; as well as any test results or written analyses. This will also be helpful if you should need to continue care upon return to your home country. For more detailed information on insurance, hospitals and doctors, and pharmacies, see Essentials: Staying Healthy in Paris.

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