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In brief
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Duration: Expectation — from minutes (vital emergencies) to hours (less urgent)
Cost: Refunded CPAM; hospital package 20 €/day (mutual)
On-site only

Who this guide is for

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  • You if you have an acute condition and an urgent need for care
  • If you want to understand when to go to the emergency room vs. the doctor's
  • You if you or someone close to you are referred to the emergency department

To be prepared in advance

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  • Vital card / ID, list of medicines
  • Description of symptoms and start time
  • Contact of a relative for operations

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1In vital danger (chest pain, speech disorder, shortness of breath, head trauma, malaise) — call 15 (SAMU) or 112 immediately. The UAS can send an ambulance or direct.
  2. 2For symptoms not urgent but annoying (light pain, small wound) — first the treating doctor, SOS Doctors (3624, paying) or the medical care home. Faster than the emergency room.
  3. 3Present yourself in the emergency room for states: medium trauma (possible fracture), severe pain (vein, back), bleeding — if you can walk. You register, you wait according to the triage (priority to the vital).
  4. 4Sorting: The nurse evaluates the emergency. Vital cases — immediate; others — sometimes long waiting.
  5. 5Bring Vitale Card, ID, medication list, contact person. For transactions/procedures — possible consent.
  6. 6After treatment: out with prescription and report. Keep them for your treating doctor and mutual care.
  7. 7Cost: the emergencies are reimbursed by the CPAM (with hospital pass 20 €/day in case of hospitalization, the mutual covers). In CSS — free.
  8. 8Physician or UAS referral to emergencies — faster (with priority).

Common mistakes

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  • Go to emergency for non-emergency cases — waiting hours, overload.
  • Do not call 15 in case of vital danger — waste of time.
  • Do not bring the Vital Card — complicated refund.
  • Do not transmit the report to the attending physician — failure to follow-up.
  • Ignore signs of vital states (chest pain, speech disorder).

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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Medical emergencies (numbers)HospitalizationTreating physician

Important remark

Emergencies are for acute states. This information is indicative. In case of life danger, call 15 or 112.

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