A mutuelle is private health insurance that works alongside the French public health system (Sécurité Sociale). The public system reimburses a set part of your medical costs at official rates. The mutuelle covers all or part of the rest, depending on your plan, and can also pay for extra services that the public system does not cover at all.
See our full guide on reimbursement rates and mutuelle percentages for more details.
How it works in practice
When you see a doctor, go to the pharmacy, or are hospitalized, the provider charges you using the standard public rates. Sécurité Sociale pays its share directly to your bank account. Your mutuelle then covers the remaining amount automatically (if télétransmission is set up) or after you send in your receipts.
What can a mutuelle cover?
The part of bills not reimbursed by Sécurité Sociale (the “ticket modérateur”)
Extra services the public system does not cover, like:
Alternative medicine (osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic, etc.)
Private hospital room fees
Some dental or optical treatments above the public base
Certain vaccines or medicines not on the public list
Glasses and contact lenses above the public reimbursement
Daily life assistance services, such as:
Legal advice for housing, work, or consumer issues
Guidance with French admin and social services
24/7 emotional support from professional psychologists
Example 1: Doctor visit
You see a general practitioner (GP). The standard rate is €30.
If you have declared this doctor as your “médecin traitant,” Sécurité Sociale reimburses 70% minus a €2 fee, so you get €19 back.
Your mutuelle covers the rest, so in most cases, you pay nothing out of pocket.
If you have not declared a médecin traitant, Sécurité Sociale reimburses much less (about €8.40), so your costs are higher, even with a mutuelle.
Example 2: Glasses and contact lenses
For glasses, the public system only pays a small part, typically around €30 for a full pair. The mutuelle can cover the rest, up to your policy’s limit. If you choose “100% Santé” glasses, the public system and your mutuelle together pay the full cost, so you pay nothing out of pocket.
For contact lenses, Sécurité Sociale only reimburses in very specific medical cases. When it does, the refund is €39.48 per eye per year. Your mutuelle can cover the rest if your contract includes it.
Example 3: Hospital stay
If you are hospitalized, the public system usually covers 80% of the standard rate. Without a mutuelle, you must pay the remaining 20% and extras like a private room. With a mutuelle, these extra costs are often reimbursed.
Example 4: Alternative medicine
Sécurité Sociale does not reimburse things like osteopathy or podiatry. A mutuelle can cover part or all of these costs, depending on your contract.
Example 5: Daily life assistance
If you need legal advice, psychological support, or help with French admin, your mutuelle can include access to these services as part of your policy.
In summary
Sécurité Sociale pays first, the mutuelle pays the rest, and may also cover extra services the public system does not touch. This helps keep your out-of-pocket costs low and gives you access to care and support not included in the basic French system.