The cost of a consultation with an on-call doctor is not just a simple increase over the usual price. Several factors come into play: the time, the day, whether the service is regulated or not, and the location of the consultation. Understanding these variables allows you to anticipate the actual amount to be paid and the portion that will remain your responsibility after reimbursement.
On-call surcharges in 2026: comparative table of rates
The base rate for a consultation with a contracted general practitioner in sector 1 is set at €30 (code G). This base amount is supplemented by surcharges that depend on the time slot and the context of regulation.
| Time Slot | Regulated Consultation | Non-regulated Consultation |
|---|---|---|
| Deep night (midnight-6am), regulated | €81.50 (G + CRM) | – |
| Night (8pm-midnight / 6am-8am) | Between €65 and €72 depending on surcharge | €65 (G + MN) |
| Sunday and public holidays (8am-8pm) | Variable depending on regulation | Specific surcharge applied to G |
The difference between regulated and non-regulated services is significant. When the doctor intervenes after a call to the regulation center (the 15 or an out-of-hours care number), the surcharge is higher, but it is also better covered by health insurance.
To delve into the details of each surcharge code, a guide to medical rates on Santéducation outlines the amounts by time slot and situation.
Regulated or non-regulated consultation: the real price gap
Medical regulation refers to the fact that a regulating doctor directs the patient to an on-call practitioner after a phone assessment. This process triggers specific surcharge codes (CRN, CRM) that increase the base rate but improve reimbursement.
A regulated consultation in the middle of the night can reach €81.50, compared to €65 for the same slot without regulation. However, the portion reimbursed by Social Security is proportionally more favorable for the regulated service. The out-of-pocket expense after mandatory reimbursement can therefore be comparable, or even lower, than that of a non-regulated consultation.
A patient who goes directly to the on-call office without calling 15 pays less at first glance. But the non-regulated surcharge has less advantageous coverage, and the co-payment remains heavier without appropriate supplementary health insurance.
Home visit or office consultation: a often overlooked parameter
The location of the consultation also affects the bill. A home visit incurs travel expenses that are added to the fees and hourly surcharges. These mileage allowances are partially reimbursed by health insurance, but the net additional cost for the patient is real.
The choice between an on-call office and a home visit should be made based on the actual urgency. For a situation that does not require the practitioner’s travel, consulting at the on-call office reduces the bill by several dozen euros.
Reimbursement for on-call consultations: what Social Security covers
Health insurance reimburses on-call consultations based on the conventional rate, including surcharges, for sector 1 doctors. The standard reimbursement rate remains that applied to regular consultations, after deducting the flat-rate contribution.
- The sector 1 doctor does not charge excess fees: the reimbursement base covers the entire conventional rate, including surcharges.
- A sector 2 doctor can apply excess fees in addition to the regulatory surcharges, significantly increasing the out-of-pocket expense.
- The flat-rate contribution of €1 applies systematically, even for on-call consultations.
- The coordinated care pathway (visiting the treating physician) is not required for on-call consultations, avoiding the usual reimbursement penalty applied outside the pathway.
Supplementary health insurance covers the co-payment and, depending on the contracts, the excess fees. A contract covering at least 200% of the conventional rate absorbs almost all costs for a consultation in sector 1.
Compensation for on-call services: the on-call fee set in 2026
An order dated August 5, 2026 clarified the compensation for on-call ambulatory care (PDSA) for liberal doctors. This text sets a minimum floor of €180 for 12 hours of on-call duty, adjustable upwards according to regional specifications.
This fee does not correspond to the amount paid by the patient. It is the remuneration paid to the doctor for covering the on-call period, regardless of the number of consultations performed. However, this national structuring has an indirect effect on the organization of on-call services: it encourages more doctors to participate in on-call services, facilitating access to consultations at night and on weekends.
Why this fee changes the game for patients
Before this order, the compensation for on-call services varied greatly from one region to another. Some areas struggled to find willing doctors, forcing patients to turn to hospital emergency services, which are often more expensive and less suited for non-urgent care.
A better-compensated on-call network reduces pressure on emergency services and maintains local access to care, even in under-served areas. For the patient, this means potentially reduced waiting times and a rate regulated by the agreement.
The amount you pay during an on-call consultation therefore depends on three combined variables: the time slot, whether or not there was a regulation, and the conventional sector of the practitioner. A call to 15 before any travel remains the most reliable way to know the applicable rate and to benefit from the best reimbursement conditions.
