Third party paying

Verified 30 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

The paying third party consists for the Health Insurance to pay directly the healthcare professional. Thus, you do not advance any costs on the part of the care reimbursed by the Health Insurance. It applies in particular if you receive supplementary solidarity health insurance (CSS) or medical aid from the government (AME), if you are a victim of an accident at work or suffer from a long-term illness (ALD). We present you the information to know.

FYI  

The third-party payment may apply whether you are dependent on the general scheme (CPAM: titleContent) or the agricultural scheme (MSA: titleContent).

It exists 2 types third-party payers: total and partial.

Third party paying total

You don't have to pay any fees. You are exempt from paying the healthcare professional immediately.

Thus, the Health Insurance:

  • Recover the amounts due on your subsequent payments
  • Or ask for a direct payment.

However, the flat-rate contribution and medical deductibles remain at your expense.

Please note

Some people are exempt from flat-rate contributions and medical deductibles. These include minors, pregnant women, people who have complementary health solidarity or thestate medical aid, minors for the contraception and the emergency contraception without parental consent, persons who receive care after being injured in an act of terrorism.

Partial paying third party

You pay the part of the costs not covered by the Health Insurance.

FYI  

The excess of fees is not covered by the Health Insurance. Your mutual may possibly do so. You can check with her.

Automatic Paid Third Party

Third party payment applies when you are in one of the following situations :

  • You have here complementary health solidarity (CSS). The third-party payment then also applies to the part of the care reimbursed by the complementary health
  • You benefit from theAME: titleContent
  • You follow preventive procedures as part of organized screening (examples: mammography performed during organized breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, M'T Dents exam every year!)
  • You benefit from maternity insurance, because you are pregnant

Warning  

A pharmacist may not practice third-party payment if you refuse the use of generic medicines.

Third party payment at the initiative of the health professional

You can benefit from the third-party payment in particular in the following situations:

  • Delivery by the pharmacist of drugs reimbursed by the Health Insurance
  • Examinations, care, provided by radiology or medical analysis offices
  • Consult your doctor, if you are facing financial difficulties for example
  • Initiative of the health professional practicing in the city. The latter can offer you the third party paying on the mandatory share, whatever your situation.

You must present your Vitale card to the healthcare professional to benefit from the third-party payment.

The update of the Vitale card can be done in the following places:

  • Most pharmacies
  • Multi-service kiosks made available in the reception points of the Health Insurance
  • Some health facilities.

The update takes only a minute.

If you can't move, contact your health insurance organization by phone or mail.

Who shall I contact

The update must be performed:

  • In case of change of situation personal (examples: you are in ALD and have received a certificate exempting you from the user fee, you are pregnant and the health insurance fund has taken into account the declaration of pregnancy) or professional (example: change of organization ensuring the coverage of your health costs)
  • And at at least once a year.

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