Complete guide to CPAM-approved taxis

Complete guide to CPAM-approved taxis

Medical transport by taxi is a right for millions of French people. Every year, the Social Security system reimburses millions of taxi rides for patients who cannot travel to healthcare facilities on their own. Yet the system remains poorly understood. This detailed guide explains everything: conditions, procedures, reimbursement and how to find an approved taxi.

What is a CPAM-approved taxi?

A CPAM-approved taxi is a taxi whose driver has signed a convention with the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM), the French primary health insurance fund. This convention authorises them to carry out medical transports reimbursed by Social Security. The driver agrees to comply with certain conditions (fares, availability, service quality) in exchange for guaranteed payment by the Health Insurance fund.

What the agreement means for the driver

• Capped fares: the driver applies regulated fares without abusive surcharges
• Availability: they commit to providing regular service for patients
• Suitable vehicle: the vehicle must be comfortable, clean and accessible
• Third-party payment: the driver uses the third-party payment system, meaning the patient pays nothing (or very little) at the time of the ride

What the agreement means for the patient

• No upfront payment: thanks to third-party payment, you do not pay for the ride — the CPAM pays the driver directly
• Fixed contribution: in some cases, a EUR 2 contribution remains your responsibility
• Medical excess: a EUR 2 excess per journey applies (capped at EUR 50 per year)

Conditions for using a CPAM-approved taxi

Not everyone can receive taxi transport reimbursement. Several conditions must be met.

1. Medical prescription

This is the essential condition. Your doctor must issue a medical transport prescription (Cerfa form S3138) before the journey. This prescription states:

• The reason for transport
• The prescribed transport mode (taxi, ambulance, medical transport vehicle)
• The destination (hospital, clinic, care centre)
• The number of planned journeys

Warning: without a prior medical prescription, reimbursement is impossible, even if the transport was medically justified.

2. Inability to travel alone

Taxi transport is prescribed when the patient cannot travel by their own means or by public transport. The most common situations are:

• Physical disability: inability to walk, drive or take public transport
• Heavy treatment: chemotherapy, dialysis, radiotherapy
• Hospitalisation: hospital admission and discharge
• High-risk pregnancy: regular medical monitoring
• Long-term condition (ALD): regular monitoring for a chronic disease

3. Destination: a healthcare facility

The approved taxi is reimbursed for journeys to:

• Hospitals and clinics
• Dialysis centres
• Medical practices (for certain specific treatments)
• Rehabilitation centres
• Medical laboratories (in certain cases)

The journey must comply with the nearest facility rule: Social Security reimburses based on the journey to the nearest appropriate healthcare facility from your home, unless another facility is medically justified.

4. Appropriate transport mode

The doctor prescribes the transport mode most suited to your health condition:

The taxi is prescribed when the patient can travel seated without medical assistance but cannot use public transport or drive.

Reimbursement: how does it work?

Reimbursement rate

The basic reimbursement rate is 65% of the approved fare. The remaining 35% is usually covered by your supplementary health insurance (mutuelle).

Cases of 100% coverage:

• Qualifying long-term condition (ALD)
• Work accident or occupational disease
• Maternity (from the 6th month of pregnancy)
• Disability
• Care related to a surgical procedure with a coefficient of 60 or above

Third-party payment

In most cases, the approved taxi uses the third-party payment system: you pay nothing at the time of the ride. The driver sends the invoice directly to the CPAM and your supplementary insurer.

Excesses and contributions

• Medical excess: EUR 2 per journey (outward or return), capped at EUR 50 per year
• Fixed contribution: EUR 2 per transport (in certain cases)
• Exemptions: pregnant women (from the 6th month), CSS beneficiaries and minors are exempt from excesses

Step-by-step procedures

Step 1: Obtain the medical prescription

See your doctor and ask them to complete the Cerfa S3138 form. Make sure the "taxi" mode is ticked and all information is complete.

Step 2: Find an approved taxi

Several options are available:

• TaxiNeo: the platform lets you filter CPAM-approved taxis in your area. You can see directly which drivers are CPAM-approved
• Your CPAM: call 3646 to obtain the list of approved taxis in your area
• Your hospital: the hospital social service can guide you

Step 3: Make your journey

On the day of the journey:

• Present your medical prescription to the driver
• Present your Carte Vitale and your supplementary insurance certificate
• Sign the transport voucher (form given to you by the driver)
• Keep a copy of all documents

Step 4: Reimbursement

If third-party payment is used, you have nothing to do. The driver manages the reimbursement directly with the CPAM.

If third-party payment is not used (rare case), you must:

1. 1.Pay for the ride
2. 2.Send the invoice and transport voucher to your CPAM
3. 3.Reimbursement occurs within 1 to 3 weeks

Patient rights

As a patient using an approved taxi, you have important rights:

• Freedom of choice: you choose the approved taxi you wish to use
• No refusal: an approved taxi cannot refuse a prescribed transport
• Punctuality: the driver must respect the agreed schedule
• Comfort: the vehicle must be clean, air-conditioned and comfortable
• Confidentiality: the driver is bound by professional secrecy regarding your health condition
• Companion: a companion can travel with you if medically justified

Finding an approved taxi with TaxiNeo

TaxiNeo simplifies the search for approved taxis:

• "CPAM Approved" filter: immediately identify approved drivers
• Verified reviews: choose a driver well rated by other patients
• Advance booking: plan your regular medical journeys (dialysis, chemo)
• Recurring journey: save your usual journeys to book in one click
• Automatic invoicing: simplify your administrative procedures

An approved taxi is a right, not a privilege. Millions of patients in France benefit from it every year to access the care they need. Thanks to TaxiNeo, finding a reliable and well-rated approved taxi becomes simple and fast. Do not hesitate to use this right for your medical journeys.