We understand that coming to a new country for medical care can raise many questions and concerns. That’s why we created this page to provide you with clear and concise information about the different aspects of your medical stay.
Before your arrival
To receive a personalized quote, please contact us via the dedicated form
Make sure to describe your condition in detail and include your complete medical records (reports, imaging results, lab tests, etc.).
Your request will first be reviewed by our referring physician and then submitted to the specialist surgeon based on your pathology.
Depending on the medical opinion and your care pathway, a clear and personalized quote will be sent to you by email once all necessary documents have been validated.
This quote can be issued:
- In the context of private health insurance (please specify the provider and coverage details), or
- As a self-paying patient, meaning the costs are covered by you directly.
Your medical file will only be submitted to an ELSAN practitioner if it is complete and legible.
It must include:
- A recent medical report (less than 3 months old), detailing your medical history, current treatments, symptoms, or discomfort. We recommend requesting this document from your primary care physician.
- All relevant additional exams: imaging (MRI, CT scan, X-rays), operative or specialist reports, biological analyses, and histology results if available.
⚠️ Please avoid sending simple photos of your documents, as they are often of poor quality.
Prefer clear and legible scans to facilitate review by our medical team.
Yes, it is entirely possible to obtain a second medical opinion without having to travel to France.
To do so, you must send us your complete medical file (medical reports, additional exams, imaging, etc.).
Your file will be reviewed by a specialist surgeon in the relevant pathology, who will prepare a detailed medical report. This service is available for a fee of 250€.
The average waiting time to get an appointment for surgery is approximately 3 months, but this may vary depending on several factors such as the condition, the surgeon’s availability during that period, and the type of care required.
This timeframe also allows you to apply for your visa and book your flights, trains, or ferries well in advance, helping to avoid excessive travel costs. For urgent cases, please note that we do not handle immediate emergencies, so it is important to plan your treatment ahead of time.
Cost and Payments
If your insurance has an agreement with ELSAN, we can accept a payment guarantee from your insurer, which relieves you from upfront payment covering all or part of your stay. In case of partial coverage, the remaining balance will be your responsibility.
The receipt of final payment from your insurance is conditional (according to the rules established between you and your insurer) upon the submission of medical information (for example, your hospitalization report). French regulations, aimed at protecting medical confidentiality, prohibit us from sending this information directly to the insurer, even if you request it in writing.
We encourage you to pay close attention to any requests made by your insurer and to promptly provide them with the medical reports requested, which we will provide to you upon your hospital discharge.
Otherwise, your insurer may refuse to honor their guarantee letter, and we will invoice you for the full cost of your stay.
During my stay
We offer various levels of comfort depending on the clinic and your preferences. You can inform us of any specific needs (private room, special equipment, etc.) and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Yes, you can be accompanied by a relative during your stay. Our clinics offer “Accompanying Person” packages, which include a bed, linens, and breakfast.
Alternatively, your relative can also stay at a nearby hotel, according to your preference.
We provide useful links to help you find information:
For more comprehensive support, we can put you in touch with our partner concierge services, who can assist you with organizing all the necessary administrative procedures.
We also work with concierge services that can arrange your airport pickup and transport to the hospital, as well as organize sightseeing during your stay and accompany you to your medical appointments. Upon request, we can connect you with these partners to make your arrival and stay as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Upon request, we can arrange care with a surgeon who speaks English, Spanish, or German. Most of our staff speak English, but if you require another language, we can coordinate with our partners or the clinic to provide an interpreter for the duration of your stay.
The main languages for communication with us are English or French. Your medical records will need to be translated into either English or French by a certified translator.
After Surgery
Upon request, we can arrange a teleconsultation follow-up with the surgeon who treated you.
If you prefer, you may spend a few days in France before returning home to benefit from on-site nursing follow-up.
For patients coming from the United Kingdom and Canada, we have special agreements that allow you to be followed both before and after your procedure by a local specialist. This professional will be familiar with your case and coordinate with our teams in France to ensure continuous care.
In general, you can also consult your local surgeon or primary care physician for follow-up appropriate to your condition.