查看文章

Background

Two thirds of French doctors are in private practice and are paid on a fee for service basis. The French social security administration provides medical cover for 99.6% of the population, and 80% of the fee the patient pays to a private physician is reimbursed by social security. Private insurance companies reimburse the remaining portion for most people. The social security administration and the doctors' unions have negotiated contractual medical fees and these are paid to most general practitioners and to 60% of specialists. Basic fees per consultation in 1997 were F110 (£ 11) for a general practitioner and F150 (£ 15) for a specialist but additional fees could be claimed for medical or surgical procedures performed during the consultation. Thus, physicians receive most of their income from social security. 2