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Vital Card
Verified 14 octobre 2020 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The Vitale card allows you to prove your rights to healthcare professionals and be reimbursed within 5 days, without having to take any steps to do so.
The Vitale card is a card chip containing administrative information to help you take care of yourself..
The health care professional you see (doctor, dentist, etc.) uses your Vitale card to create an electronic health record sheet (replacing the paper sheet).
The information is sent directly to your health insurance organization.
This way, you are reimbursed within 7 days without having to take any steps.
Please note : to receive medical care during a trip or a short stay in Europe, you can request the European Social Security Card..
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General scheme
An e-card is tested in the departments of the Rhône and Alpes-Maritimes until the end of 2021. It is offered free of charge to volunteers in the form of a smartphone app.
MSA
An e-card is tested in the Ain-Rhône and Provence-Azur regions until the end of 2021. It is offered free of charge to volunteers in the form of a smartphone app.
General case
The Vitale card is awarded to you as a beneficiary of health insurance from the age of 16.
French retirees living abroad
French pensioners abroad have a permanent right to health insurance and can therefore have their health expenses covered during their temporary stays in France.
All they have to do is register on the Ameli website or contact the Center national des retirés français de l'étrangers (CNAREFE).
Ameli online
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
Who shall I contact
National Center for French Retirees Abroad (CNAREFE)
By mail
CNAREFE Health Insurance
77605 Marne-la-Vallée Cedex 3
By phone
+ 33 811 701 005
Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm (French time)
You don't have to take any steps, the card is sent to you by your health insurance organization.
General case
For an adult
The Vitale card is awarded to all beneficiaries of health insurance without any action on your part.
You do not have to apply to receive the new Vitale card with a photo. It is distributed progressively to people who do not have a vital card or who need to replace their current card (lost, stolen or defective). Your health insurance organization sends you a completed form to return.
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information recorded there.
In the event of an error or inaccuracy on the hard copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
At 16
You do not have to request to receive your first Vitale card. Your health insurance organization will send you a file to return to it, completed, within the indicated time. You get the new card with a photo.
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information recorded there. In the event of an error or inaccuracy on the hard copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
Between 12 and 16 years
You can order a Vital Card for your child over 12 years old.
Ask for a vital card (general diet)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
When the Vitale card is addressed to you, you will receive a paper copy of the information recorded there. In the event of an error or inaccuracy on the hard copy, you must report it to your health insurance organization.
MSA
If you are an MSA member, log in to your private space:
MSA Private Space
Central Fund of the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA)
It's free.
When to update it?
You must update your Vital Card:
- at least once a year,
- and each change in personal or professional situation , after informing your health insurance organization.
How do I update it?
To update the Vitale map, kiosks are available at the following locations:
- Health insurance bodies
- Pharmacies
- Some health facilities
If you are unable to travel, contact your health insurance organization by phone or mail.
General case
Online
Declaration of loss, theft or malfunction of vital card (general regime)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
On site
A template for an Honor Statement is available.
Vital card: loss, theft or malfunction - Declaration on Honor (general regime)
By mail
A template for an Honor Statement is available.
Vital card: loss, theft or malfunction - Declaration on Honor (general regime)
You must send it to your CPAM.
MSA
If you are an MSA member, log in to your private space:
MSA Private Space
Central Fund of the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA)
General case
Online
If your card does not work, report it to your health insurance organization in order to receive a new card.
Declaration of loss, theft or malfunction of vital card (general regime)
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)
By mail
If you are employed under the general social security scheme, you can use the statement on the honor of malfunction.. You must attach your defective card to your mail.
While waiting for your Vitale card, you can get a certification of rights..
MSA
If you are an MSA member, log in to your private space:
MSA Private Space
Central Fund of the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA)