Do you have a medical prescription and need to get to a medical appointment or hospital? You may be entitled to a CPAM-approved cab. This service can be essential for people with mobility problems or undergoing regular treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis. But how do you go about booking this type of medical transport? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you.
What is a CPAM-approved cab?
A conventionné cab is a vehicle approved by the health insurance scheme to transport patients for medical treatment. These cabs are particularly practical because they are covered in full or in part by the CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). This means that, under certain conditions, you won’t have to pay for medical consultations or hospitalization.
To qualify for this benefit, you need a medical prescription for transport, also known as a “bon de transport”. Without this document, signed by your attending physician or specialist, it will not be possible to request a subsidized cab.
Eligibility criteria
Before you think about calling a CPAM-approved cab, check that you meet certain eligibility criteria. First of all, you need to be transported for a specific medical reason:
- Hospitalization (admission or discharge)
- Heavy, recurrent treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, dialysis)
- Medical examinations for ALD (Affection Longue Durée) patients requiring specific care
- Work-related accidents requiring special care
Next, make sure that this need is indicated on the medical prescription, as it will be requested by the cab driver during the journey, and by the CPAM for reimbursement.
How do I obtain a medical prescription for transport?
The first step in booking a contracted cab is to obtain a medical prescription for transport. This prescription must indicate the medical reasons justifying the use of an approved cab. It is issued by your GP, a specialist or, in some cases, by the medical institution where you are being treated.
Ask your doctor to fill in the prescription correctly, with all the necessary details. If you have several appointments coming up, it should be marked “repeated transport”. Bear in mind that this prescription is essential, and will be required by the cab company and the CPAM for reimbursement.
Prior agreement from the CPAM
In some cases, particularly for long journeys (over 150 km one way), you will need to obtain prior agreement from the CPAM. To do this, send them a copy of your medical prescription. If the request is accepted, you’ll receive a favorable opinion within a few days.
If no reply is received within five working days, the request is automatically accepted. Nevertheless, be sure to keep all proof of your application.
How do I find and book an approved cab?
Once you have your medical prescription, it’s time to find a licensed cab. Many cab and VTC companies are now approved by the French health insurance scheme. You can check their accreditation directly with your CPAM or online via various specialized platforms.
It may also be useful to know that there is an approved cab service available locally, such as an approved cab in Lyon, that can meet your specific needs.
To make your search easier, here are the steps to follow:
- Contact your CPAM to obtain a list of approved cabs in your area.
- Use specialized websites or mobile applications dedicated to approved cabs to make your reservation.
- Call the listed cab companies directly to confirm their status and make an appointment.
Booking an approved cab
When you book your contracted cab, be prepared to provide information such as :
- Your name and contact details
- Your social security number
- Details of your appointment (date, time, place)
- Information about your medical prescription for transport
Some providers offer the option of making these bookings online, further simplifying the process. Make sure you specify that you have a transport voucher to guarantee CPAM coverage.
What to bring on the day of your appointment
On the day of your appointment, prepare yourself by gathering all the necessary documents. Above all, don’t forget your medical prescription, without which the driver may refuse to transport you.
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Transport voucher
- Carte vitale
- Identification
- Prescriptions if necessary
And don’t forget to keep an eye on the schedule. Arrive a few minutes early to avoid unnecessary stress. If you have any special needs (wheelchair, oxygen), let the company know at the time of booking so that they can anticipate and offer you an adapted service.
Sequence and end of the journey
Once you’ve settled into the cab, hand over your medical prescription to the driver for validation. The driver will note certain information on the transport voucher and may even ask to scan your carte vitale to simplify future administrative procedures.
At the end of the journey, you should not be asked to pay anything if the CPAM has fully covered your costs. If this is not the case, you will be given a receipt indicating the amount to be advanced, so that you can then claim reimbursement from the CPAM.
In case of dispute
Occasionally, disagreements may arise over the amount billed or the amount reimbursed. In the event of irregularity, contact your CPAM immediately to open a dispute file. Always keep a copy of all transport-related documents to support your claim.
Reimbursement by the CPAM
Once you’ve used a contracted cab, you may have to pay a fee in advance, especially if the transport requires a share to be paid by the user. Reimbursement will depend on the type of transport, the distance travelled, and the amount left to pay, if any.
For reimbursement, send the following documents to your CPAM:
- Transport voucher completed and signed by the driver
- Detailed invoice for the trip
- A certificate of payment
- Any other supporting documents requested by the CPAM.
You can apply online via your Ameli account or by post. Make sure all fields are filled in correctly to avoid processing delays.
Finally, bear in mind that if you follow the steps correctly, obtaining a CPAM-approved taxid can greatly facilitate your medical travel by reducing financial and logistical constraints.
