Useful Tips

The Health Office helps students understand the French healthcare system and how to navigate it autonomously.

Here are some useful resources:

THE HEALTH OFFICE FAQ

A COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE: MSH INTERNATIONAL

• Learn about your insurance benefits: see the MSH handbook
• The handbook also contains information on the reimbursement process: In France, you pay your medical fees upfront and then send your claim to the insurance company to ask for a reimbursement.
• Click here to visit the MSH Website
• Video Tutorial 

HOW TO FIND DOCTORS

• Use this tutorial to learn how to create your Doctolib account and look for an English-speaking doctor or specialist
• You can book an appointment with our on-campus doctor using this Calendly link

EXEMPTION

If you are already insured, please fill out the exemption form HERE and email it with ALL the required documents to healthaup.edu

SOCIAL SECURITY (French national insurance)

Students arriving in France can request a Social Security number after three months of residence.

Social Security is not mandatory as long as you are covered by your own international insurance, or by AUP insurance, called MSH International.

Requesting a social security number is a long process.

If you plan to stay for the entire length of your studies and/or plan to work in France, then you can request a social security number. After receiving a social security number, you can request a “Carte Vitale.”This card is not a payment card but will ease the process of reimbursement when you use it at your medical appointments.

Having a social security number doesn’t mean all of your medical expenses will be covered, just a small portion, which is why you need to have a supplementary health insurance policy, such as MSH or another French insurance.

• Learn how to apply

HEALTH FRENCH VOCABULARY

Even if you have an appointment with an English-speaking doctor, it is always useful to know a few medical terms in French, just in case. Here is a very useful list of French medical exam phrases and vocabulary for reference.