Healthcare in France. Unrecognizable to an American.

We had planned on returning home from our trip to Paris, Provence and the Cote d’ Azur today.

But two days ago my Crohn’s disease decided to remind me it had come along for the trip and I got a flair up, as it’s known to Crohnies, which knocked me flat.

So, we’re flying home a couple of days later than scheduled to give me time to recover. I didn’t want to be on a 9 hour flight with a Crohn’s flair.

Crohn’s, for those that don’t know, in an autoimmune disease of the gut. It has no cure.

I’m being treated with a biologic drug which is one of the reasons we scheduled our trip now. I’m due for another dose next week and there’s no missing it.

For me, it’s mostly under control with proper diet, medication and stress reduction.

Except two days ago my system went haywire.

I won’t describe the specifics here. But it’s not pleasant.

I didn’t need a doctor. But if I had, there would be no better place to need one then France.

The healthcare system here would be unrecognizable to any American.

It is considered one of the best in the world.

And everyone is covered by it at minimal cost.

If you do get sick during a trip to France you can consider yourself lucky. France’s healthcare system is consistently rated among the top 10 in the world and it’s also one of the most cost-effective.

Even as a tourist to France, the typical visit to a doctor is just 25€ or roughly 30 bucks. The prices for medicines and hospitalization are much lower than in the United States as well.

House calls are 75€.

I know. House calls. What are those?

For a citizen or resident of France the French Social Security system is available to all and comprises a fully integrated network of public hospitals, private clinics, doctors and other health professionals. It is a multi-payer system which provides medical care for all citizens regardless of age, income or social status.

For a visitor from the United States it, is almost hard to imagine.