Doctors (médecins) are of a high standard throughout the country. English services are available in larger cities, but may be difficult to find in rural areas. To see a doctor, you register with a "acting doctor" (médecin traitant). They must provide a referral if you wish to see another doctor or a specialist.
Many doctors are in single practices, but there are growing numbers of doctors in group practices. There are also health care centers (centre médical et social) which may offer services that are unavailable at doctors's surgeries (health screening, vaccinations, etc.).
Listings of local doctors can be found at town halls and chemists, registered with social security (conventionné), under the yellow pages under Médecins Généralistes (specialists under Médecins Qualifiés), and registered with the Ordre des Médecins. It is also a good idea to salicite recommendations from friends, colleagues or neighbors. Many embassies and consulates maintain a list of doctors and specialists in their area who speak English (and other foreign languages).
Visits to the doctor are usually paid after each visit.
Sécurité sociale refunds 70 percent of most medical care.