Patients can choose whether they have a “medecin traitant” or not, but face significantly lower reimbursements if they choose not to. The “medecin traitant” can be GP or specialist and their role is to guide patients through the health system and keep patients medical records. If patients have an attested long-term condition (“affection de longue duree”) the “medecin traitant” receives an annual payment for documentation and co-ordination. Point presse de l’assurance maladie 21/04/2016”, Paris.