Consult by instant messaging with a Teleconsultation

What is teleconsultation?

Teleconsultation (or telemedicine) allows online consultation with a specialist doctor (general practitioner, dermatologist, cardiologist, etc.) from home or from a dedicated terminal (in a pharmacy, for example). Since 2009 and the "Hôpital, Patients, Santé, Territoires" (HPST) law, online consultation has been legally regulated. According to Article L. 6316-1 of the French Public Health Code, telemedicine is defined as "a form of remote medical practice using information and communication technologies". Teleconsultation therefore allows:

  •  Connecting a patient with a healthcare professional, entirely remotely;

  •  An online diagnosis (or a remote expert opinion);

  •  Access to care and treatment via an online prescription.

A medical follow-up can thus be set up for at-risk patients. The online doctor is also able to prescribe products and carry out services or procedures with a view to treatment. Medical monitoring can also take place remotely. Medical teleconsultation therefore always involves the intervention of a healthcare professional: dentist, general practitioner, midwife, etc. All doctors must be qualified in France in order to practise, whether in person or remotely. Foreign nationals from the EU may also practise according to the rules set out by the French National Medical Council (Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins, CNOM). In short, teleconsultation is a major advance for the healthcare system, since it allows patients living in medical deserts to access remote care quickly. Telemedicine also comes with the same requirements as an in-office consultation and carries the doctor's professional liability. Many conditions can be treated remotely, thereby avoiding wasted time going from doctor to doctor. Teleconsultation also allows medical follow-up for patients with chronic conditions.

Do you need an appointment to consult a doctor online?

On Feeli, online consultation can take place without an appointment: simply pay for the consultation and then wait for the doctor or specialist to take charge via a connection link. For a consultation with a general practitioner, the estimated average waiting time is 35 minutes. Feeli also guarantees care within 2 hours for all patients. For a consultation with a specialist, such as a dermatologist, care takes place within 24 hours. It is common for waiting times to see a dermatologist in person to run to several months. Teleconsultation therefore offers privileged, fast access to care and treatment.

What is the price of a teleconsultation?

On Feeli, there are 2 consultation prices depending on the type of specialist consulted:

  •  A price of 39 euros for a consultation with a general practitioner;

  •  A single price of 55 euros for a consultation with an online dermatologist. Please note: in person, the price of a specialist consultation can vary depending on the agreement signed with the French health insurance (Assurance Maladie) (sector 1 or sector 2). In sector 2, for example, doctors are free to charge fees above the standard rate and set their own prices. Additional fees may also apply when the consultation is outside the coordinated care pathway.

Is teleconsultation reimbursed?

In France, a medical teleconsultation can be reimbursed by the French social security system only if the patient was referred by their regular doctor, or if they consulted their regular doctor remotely. As many French people do not have a regular doctor, it is currently difficult to get a medical teleconsultation reimbursed. While waiting for the legislation to change, Feeli has chosen to offer only consultations outside the coordinated care pathway. It is therefore not necessary to have a prescription from your regular doctor. While this does not lead to reimbursement from the Assurance Maladie, some complementary health insurers may nevertheless cover part of the cost of the consultation. Where reimbursement is possible (some platforms operate within the coordinated care pathway), the social security system can cover 70% of the consultation price, as it would in person. Nevertheless, the principle of teleconsultation is to be able to consult a doctor without an appointment at any time, without having to travel and with direct access: waiting for your regular doctor to be available can lengthen the time it takes to get care.

How do you get a prescription online?

A teleconsultation can lead to an online prescription for treatment. After reviewing the symptoms during the online consultation, the doctor makes a diagnosis and can prescribe a treatment if necessary. Once you have your prescription, you simply need to collect your treatment directly from a pharmacy, whether in France or in another European Union country. It is therefore entirely possible to get treatment remotely. Teleconsultation comes with the same requirements as an in-office consultation, but it makes access to care and treatment easier, particularly for people living in rural areas.

Can you get a sick note via teleconsultation?

Feeli does not issue sick notes. Indeed, sick notes must be issued by your regular doctor in order to prevent misuse. A sick note carries the doctor's professional liability, and Feeli therefore considers that teleconsultation does not allow sick notes to be issued safely. However, doctors on the Feeli platform can offer medical certificates to justify an absence. The patient can then consult their regular doctor if a longer sick note is required.