What to do if you get sick in New York?

Treat symptoms early

• At the first sign of a cold or illness that could spoil your trip, act fast. Stock a basic first-aid kit before you leave so you can respond quickly if needed.
• You can also visit a pharmacy for advice. Here’s what medications to bring to New York you should consider packing.

See a doctor if symptoms persist

• If you don’t improve after a few days, you’ll need to see a doctor. New York is a cosmopolitan city with many English-speaking physicians. Contact the social services office at the French Consulate for a current list of doctors. Phone: 212-606-3600.
• Be aware that medical consultations in the United States are expensive—typically $100 to $150 or more for a general practitioner or specialist. But if you’re sick, don’t hesitate: it’s better to see a doctor and recover quickly than to waste your entire vacation.
• Hospital costs can escalate rapidly and dramatically. You can easily reach $1,000 for minor treatment. To avoid a nasty surprise if a serious health issue arises, purchase travel health insurance before you leave.

Check your health insurance before departure

If you need hospitalization while in New York—which we hope won’t happen—know that the city has some of the best hospitals in the United States. However, hospital care is very expensive.
Before you leave, I strongly recommend purchasing travel health insurance for the USA that covers medical expenses and medical evacuation. You can often add this when buying your plane ticket, or check with your regular insurance provider. Beyond medical costs and evacuation, these policies typically include other important coverage, such as:

• Trip cancellation.
• Baggage loss.
• Emergency rescue fees (such as helicopter evacuation).
• Personal liability abroad.

Some premium credit cards, such as Visa Premier and MasterCard Gold, include medical evacuation coverage for international travel when you use the card to purchase your plane ticket. However, credit card coverage varies by card type and typically doesn’t apply if you’re staying longer than 90 days (for work or study). If you’re staying more than 90 days, purchasing dedicated travel health insurance with evacuation coverage is a better option. Contact your bank for details about your specific card’s coverage. It’s worth confirming your protection before you travel.

How to get reimbursed when you return

• If you’re a French citizen and need to see a doctor or receive medical care in New York, your national health insurance may cover the costs. To request reimbursement, complete form S3125 “Care received abroad,” which you can download here.
• Submit original paid invoices and medical prescriptions related to the care you’re claiming. Send everything to your local health insurance office, which will forward it to the National Center for Care Abroad (CNSE). The CNSE will review your claim and, if the care is deemed necessary and unplanned, you’ll receive reimbursement based on French rates and coverage percentages.
• Important: Non-urgent, planned medical expenses will not be reimbursed by your national health insurance.