General practitioner and médecin traitant: how to choose and declare
The difference between a general practitioner and a médecin traitant, how to choose and declare one, and what changes without a declaration.
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : ameli.fr
The general practitioner
The “médecin généraliste” (general practitioner) is the first-contact doctor: you see them for an everyday health problem or a health question. They refer you to a specialist if needed.
- Most practices work by appointment; a same-day consultation may be refused.
- In principle you start with the general practitioner before seeing a specialist (linked to the médecin traitant declaration, see below).
- In an emergency: call 15 (SAMU) or 112.
Choosing and declaring your médecin traitant
The “médecin traitant” is the doctor you choose and declare to your fund (CPAM). From age 16, every insured person must have one. The doctor you choose must accept the role.
- Choice: free, with no geographical constraint; a general practitioner or a specialist. The doctor must accept. Some no longer take new patients: a refusal is possible.
- Declaration (1): during a consultation, the doctor sends the declaration to the CPAM with your carte Vitale. No form is needed.
- Declaration (2): fill in form S3704, have the doctor sign it, then hand it to your fund or send it by post.
- Without a declaration: your reimbursements are reduced. According to ameli, going through the médecin traitant gives “the highest level of reimbursement”; the page gives no percentage. Other sources cite 70% within the care pathway and 30% outside it: check the current rate on ameli.fr.
- Under 16: a parent chooses and declares; having no declaration does not reduce reimbursement.
- Changing: unconditional, a new declaration is enough. A new declaration is also needed if your doctor stops practising or moves.
- Not concerned: notably foreigners passing through France.
Sources and checks
Checked on 17 October 2026 (page split on 4 November 2026). Summarised by JAPANITIES from the ameli.fr pages on the médecin traitant. Reimbursement rates, prices and conditions change: check the official pages before any procedure. This guide gives no medical advice.