Key points in 30 seconds
- Find a GP via annuairesante..fr or Doctolib.
- Ask if they accept new patients as .
- Bring your or .
The procedure at a glance
What you lose without one
Within the care pathway the Assurance maladie reimburses 70% of the base fee; outside it only 30%, and top-up insurance usually does not cover the gap. Direct access is allowed to gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, dentists and psychiatrists (ages 16–25).
Advice from the association
Don't leave this procedure to the last minute — come and see us.
How to register
The doctor usually does it online in a minute with your . Otherwise you fill in the “Déclaration de choix du ” ( 12485) together and send it to . Check it on .fr; you can change doctor at any time.
Common mistake
Seeing doctors with none registered: 30% reimbursement.
If no doctor takes new patients
Search annuairesante..fr and Doctolib and contact health centres. After several refusals, write to your mediator via : many offices help find a GP. If you were genuinely refused, the reduced rate may not apply. Call municipal and association health centres in particular.
Common mistake
Seeing a specialist without referral.
Other ways to save
Choose sector 1 doctors (no extra fees), ask for tiers payant, apply for the on a low income, and call 15 or the out-of-hours service in the evenings and at weekends. Check sector-1 status in the directory. Out of hours, seek advice rather than going straight to a private clinic.
Common mistake
Not checking the registration was recorded.
Step by step
- 1Find a GP via annuairesante..fr or Doctolib.
- 2Ask if they accept new patients as .
- 3Bring your or .
- 4Ask the doctor to register online.
- 5Otherwise sign 12485 and send it to .
- 6After a few days, check on .fr that the doctor appears in your profile.
Refused or missed a deadline: what to do
Appeal deadlines run from the day you receive the decision — keep letters and envelopes.
Rights or reimbursement refused
Within 2 months, write to the 's Commission de recours amiable (CRA), via or registered letter.
File stuck for months
Write to your mediator (form on .fr). For urgent care without cover, go to the hospital PASS.
Legal basis checked 23/10/2026service-public.gouv.fr — Litige avec l'Assurance maladie
Documents needed
Collected: 0 / 4
- or
- Social security number
- 12485 (paper form)
- certificate if you have one
FAQ
Where do I find my social security number for the registration?
The 15 digits are on the under your name and on the .
Can I change my médecin traitant?
Yes, at any time: the new doctor files a new declaration. The old declaration is cancelled automatically.
Does a child need a médecin traitant?
Yes, parents register one for children under 16 (paediatrician or GP).
Related guides
Steps and documents on one page — save as PDF and take it with you.