Nice to see an osteopath’s name plate in your picture. I’m an osteopath in the UK. European osteopaths are very different (mostly!!) from American osteopaths. It used to be illegal to practice osteopathy in France. French osteopaths practiced though and payed into an insurance that would defend them if they were prosecuted. It was very weird!!
I live in the Bay Area. A variation of the Adenovirus is rampant in these parts. Several family members, including myself contracted it. And, it does linger (3-4 weeks with varied symptoms). I suspect you picked up your bug in Italy; possibly from a SF tourist!
Great discussion on the French health system. It appears to defer to doctors rather than risk management folks. How refreshing!
Sooo grateful for this intro to French healthcare. I’m 75 and hope to come again to Paris this year. As you can well understand health is my number one priority. Past visits I have always starred a hospital on my map where they speak English and several physicians I can call upon for any care I need.
Knowing the system is indeed having peace of mind, while I am enjoying the glories of Paris
Thanks for this informative piece. I hope you both are feeling better. If not, take another Covid test. As other people have mentioned, it seems like you can be sick for a while now before you test positive.
David, I can attest to the excellent health system in France. Twice, my husband has been treated at an ER of a hospital in Bayeux, France. The care was wonderful and the bill was unbelievably low!!! On both occasions, it was something just around E150. We were so grateful. We’re planning to be at the 80th DDay Anniversary Celebrations in June. Carver is nearly a Centenarian. I’m praying you and Romain heal quickly. Marianne
It sounds like France's healthcare has issues, but still, it's better than the US - at least until Medicare, and then only if one chooses original Medicare, not one of the Advantage plans (and over 52% of eligible now have that instead). The Advantage plans are basically a continuation of insurance plans with all their problems.
I just deleted most of my comment, because I will not rant on your post. Despite the issues with the French system, it is still better than the U.S. Overall, the U.S. is above France on the Prosperity Index but in healthcare the U.S. ranks 69th out of 167 countries, while France ranks 20th. The costs and the lack of accessibility impact the U.S. ranking heavily. Insurance for malpractice impacts doctors heavily here. Doctors' time with patients is monitored, the doctors penalized through pay if they take too long with a patient.
I started ranting again. Thank you for this. I wondered how the French system had changed. Yes, problems, but still it sounds nicer than insurance companies here.
I had to see an eye specialist at the ER in Nice for a vitreous detachment. My wait was minimal and although there were people waiting behind me, the doctor took time to explain things to me (I learned that l’œil est comme un œuf). The bill was under $100. When I contacted my home health insurance about reimbursement, they chuckled at the small amount and reminded me that the amount was less than the out of network copay.
I'm sorry you are not feeling well. I hope you are better soon. Just an FYI - in January when I had a fever I tested for COVID and it was negative... 3 days later when my symptoms had subsided (and not gone away totally) I tested positive... The newer versions of the virus seem to be slipping past the tests these days. Though probably not quite as much paperwork, I do have to fill in pages and pages of it when my mom (who has dementia) needs a procedure and these doctors have asked for information that I don't have or have access to. I had to go through her paperwork to find phone numbers and have doctors send me her paperwork. The amount of time it takes is at least a part time job... so I get it. I'm in the USA by the way. Out of curiosity, is there a going rate for housecalls or does everyone just charge whatever they charge? I think the whole world is struggling with the loss of specialized personnel like nurses, doctors, and more. We definitely are here. It's taking months and months to see doctors that, before COVID, we could get an appointment quickly with. We've resorted to going to Urgent Care centers because when we have taken my mom to the emergency room she's been there an average of 6 hours waiting to be seen. Of course, everyone else is doing the same thing and those centers are overwhelmed as well. It's a mess.
This is really interesting David. It is very close to our Health Care System here in Australia which is encouraging as our population in comparison is quite small and here we are up there with the best. I’m wondering where all these doctors and nurses …. and bus drivers, ambo’s, etc … have gone after Covid the only shortage we don’t have is dentists which isn’t surprising given they charge the earth.
I’m sorry to hear that you are unwell I’m trying to haul myself back into society after a brush with Covid so I am commiserating with you both. 💐
I hope you and Romain get better soon. My dad has dementia and the quality of care he's receiving in Saint Martin is remarkable. I told my siblings even if we had expensive high-end insurance in the States, we would not received this level of health care. A psychiatrist came to visit my dad (and us) the day after my mother's funeral to speak with him. The nurses, doctors, and physical therapists have been wonderful. My dad gets to stay in his home, which is the norm in the Caribbean. I've heard the hospital is a bit disorganized and yes, there's a LOT of paperwork. My French is non existent so I really appreciate that many people on the island are bi-lingual. I'm very grateful for the French health care system.
Several years ago when we were living outside Boston, there was a blizzard forecast that Sunday. I suspected I had bronchitis and knew trying to see my internist in Brookline was not possible in the coming days. We went to a local CvS Minute Clinic where I saw a nurse practitioner who treated me and prescribed antibiotics. I finished, walked to the pharmacy counter to pick it up, went home and stayed safe for the duration.
Nice to see an osteopath’s name plate in your picture. I’m an osteopath in the UK. European osteopaths are very different (mostly!!) from American osteopaths. It used to be illegal to practice osteopathy in France. French osteopaths practiced though and payed into an insurance that would defend them if they were prosecuted. It was very weird!!
I hope you are getting well now.
I live in the Bay Area. A variation of the Adenovirus is rampant in these parts. Several family members, including myself contracted it. And, it does linger (3-4 weeks with varied symptoms). I suspect you picked up your bug in Italy; possibly from a SF tourist!
Great discussion on the French health system. It appears to defer to doctors rather than risk management folks. How refreshing!
Sooo grateful for this intro to French healthcare. I’m 75 and hope to come again to Paris this year. As you can well understand health is my number one priority. Past visits I have always starred a hospital on my map where they speak English and several physicians I can call upon for any care I need.
Knowing the system is indeed having peace of mind, while I am enjoying the glories of Paris
Thanks for this informative piece. I hope you both are feeling better. If not, take another Covid test. As other people have mentioned, it seems like you can be sick for a while now before you test positive.
David, I can attest to the excellent health system in France. Twice, my husband has been treated at an ER of a hospital in Bayeux, France. The care was wonderful and the bill was unbelievably low!!! On both occasions, it was something just around E150. We were so grateful. We’re planning to be at the 80th DDay Anniversary Celebrations in June. Carver is nearly a Centenarian. I’m praying you and Romain heal quickly. Marianne
It sounds like France's healthcare has issues, but still, it's better than the US - at least until Medicare, and then only if one chooses original Medicare, not one of the Advantage plans (and over 52% of eligible now have that instead). The Advantage plans are basically a continuation of insurance plans with all their problems.
I just deleted most of my comment, because I will not rant on your post. Despite the issues with the French system, it is still better than the U.S. Overall, the U.S. is above France on the Prosperity Index but in healthcare the U.S. ranks 69th out of 167 countries, while France ranks 20th. The costs and the lack of accessibility impact the U.S. ranking heavily. Insurance for malpractice impacts doctors heavily here. Doctors' time with patients is monitored, the doctors penalized through pay if they take too long with a patient.
I started ranting again. Thank you for this. I wondered how the French system had changed. Yes, problems, but still it sounds nicer than insurance companies here.
David, your post on the French health care system is so informative and valuable. Thank you. Please feel better soon!
I had to see an eye specialist at the ER in Nice for a vitreous detachment. My wait was minimal and although there were people waiting behind me, the doctor took time to explain things to me (I learned that l’œil est comme un œuf). The bill was under $100. When I contacted my home health insurance about reimbursement, they chuckled at the small amount and reminded me that the amount was less than the out of network copay.
Having recently experienced the Spanish healthcare system as a tourist, I can't speak highly enough of it.
I'm sorry you are not feeling well. I hope you are better soon. Just an FYI - in January when I had a fever I tested for COVID and it was negative... 3 days later when my symptoms had subsided (and not gone away totally) I tested positive... The newer versions of the virus seem to be slipping past the tests these days. Though probably not quite as much paperwork, I do have to fill in pages and pages of it when my mom (who has dementia) needs a procedure and these doctors have asked for information that I don't have or have access to. I had to go through her paperwork to find phone numbers and have doctors send me her paperwork. The amount of time it takes is at least a part time job... so I get it. I'm in the USA by the way. Out of curiosity, is there a going rate for housecalls or does everyone just charge whatever they charge? I think the whole world is struggling with the loss of specialized personnel like nurses, doctors, and more. We definitely are here. It's taking months and months to see doctors that, before COVID, we could get an appointment quickly with. We've resorted to going to Urgent Care centers because when we have taken my mom to the emergency room she's been there an average of 6 hours waiting to be seen. Of course, everyone else is doing the same thing and those centers are overwhelmed as well. It's a mess.
This is really interesting David. It is very close to our Health Care System here in Australia which is encouraging as our population in comparison is quite small and here we are up there with the best. I’m wondering where all these doctors and nurses …. and bus drivers, ambo’s, etc … have gone after Covid the only shortage we don’t have is dentists which isn’t surprising given they charge the earth.
I’m sorry to hear that you are unwell I’m trying to haul myself back into society after a brush with Covid so I am commiserating with you both. 💐
Hope you feel better. Your article gives one of the best explanations of the French Health System that I have ever seen! Truly masterful!
How you can write about these intricacies and complexities while under the weather is remarkable. It is all fascinating to read.Thank you.
Please, you two, get well soon. I’d bring you homemade chicken soup if I could…
I hope you and Romain get better soon. My dad has dementia and the quality of care he's receiving in Saint Martin is remarkable. I told my siblings even if we had expensive high-end insurance in the States, we would not received this level of health care. A psychiatrist came to visit my dad (and us) the day after my mother's funeral to speak with him. The nurses, doctors, and physical therapists have been wonderful. My dad gets to stay in his home, which is the norm in the Caribbean. I've heard the hospital is a bit disorganized and yes, there's a LOT of paperwork. My French is non existent so I really appreciate that many people on the island are bi-lingual. I'm very grateful for the French health care system.
I am so sorry that you and Romain are both ill. Hopefully, the chicken soup will help. Get better soon ❤️
Several years ago when we were living outside Boston, there was a blizzard forecast that Sunday. I suspected I had bronchitis and knew trying to see my internist in Brookline was not possible in the coming days. We went to a local CvS Minute Clinic where I saw a nurse practitioner who treated me and prescribed antibiotics. I finished, walked to the pharmacy counter to pick it up, went home and stayed safe for the duration.