Have you heard about the data transmission service but aren’t sure what it is or how to activate it? This feature streamlines your health reimbursements by automating communication between Social Security and your health insurance provider. In this article, we explain what data transmission is, why it’s essential, and how to activate it quickly.
What is data transmission?
Data transmission is an electronic system that connects your Social Security fund to your complementary health insurance. Thanks to this link, your reimbursements are processed automatically:
- Social Security reimburses its share.
- It then sends the statement to your health insurer.
- Your insurer reimburses the remaining amount, according to your policy.
✅ Key benefit: No need to send your statements manually, everything is handled automatically.
Activating data transmission is essential to make your life easier
You arrive at the pharmacy with your prescription. You show your “carte vitale” and the pharmacy tells you that the data transmission service is not active. What does that mean? Data transmission is the process of linking your Social Security center to your supplementary health insurance provider. That means, when your basic scheme reimburses its portion, it then sends the statement to your supplementary health insurance provider so that they can pay you the remaining portion (up to the level of your coverage limits). You therefore have nothing to do and no paperwork to send to your supplementary health insurance provider when your data transmission is activated.
If the service is not activated, you’ll need to download your reimbursement statement from the ameli.fr website and send it to your supplementary health insurance provider for reimbursement of the supplementary portion. If you have two supplementary health insurance providers (your employer’s, and your spouse’s as a beneficiary), you will only be able to link up to one of them using the data transmission service.
Why activate data transmission?
Without data transmission, you need to download your statements from ameli.fr and send them to your insurer. This takes time and can delay your reimbursements. With data transmission:
- Save time: No extra steps.
- Faster reimbursements.
- Reduced risk of errors or oversights.
For those who regularly visit healthcare professionals, data transmission is a real convenience.
How do I know if data transmission has been activated?
Go to the ameli.fr website and log in with your ID. Go to “Mes informations” and then the “Organisme complémentaire” section. Here you will need to find the name of your supplementary health insurance provider, your membership number and the information on the activation of data transmission with the words “Transmission automatique des paiements”.
What to do if data transmission is not active
Download your certificate of entitlement, and send it to your supplementary health insurance provider, requesting the activation of the data transmission service. Your supplementary health insurance provider will then contact your Social Security center to approve the link.
Go to the ameli.fr website and log in with your ID. Go to “Mes informations” and then the “Organisme complémentaire” section. Here you will need to find the name of your supplementary health insurance provider, your membership number and the information on the activation of data transmission with the words “Transmission automatique des paiements”.
⚠️ Important: If you have two insurers (for example, one from your employer and one through your spouse), only one can be linked via data transmission. You’ll need to send statements manually to the second insurer.
Activation timeframe
Activating data transmission can take a few days to several weeks, depending on how quickly your insurer and Social Security process the request. During this time, you’ll need to continue sending your statements manually.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about data transmission
- Is data transmission mandatory?
No, but it’s highly recommended to simplify your procedures and speed up reimbursements. - Can I activate data transmission with two insurers?
No, only one insurer can be linked to Social Security. - What if data transmission doesn’t work?
Contact your insurer to check the configuration. It may be a technical issue or a missing document.
The benefits for your daily life
By activating data transmission, you enjoy:
- Simplified tracking: No need to manage manual submissions.
- Fast reimbursements: Often within a few days.
- Peace of mind: Fewer administrative tasks.
For families or individuals with regular healthcare needs, it’s a significant time-saver.