Having successfully managed to get on the list of a MT and a dentist, I thought it would be helpful for those still negotiating the system to hear about our experience.
With both, it seemed to be the case that there was no question of getting our names on the list in the sense we expected: that is, ask to be added and that being done.
However
We both have continuing problems prescriptions. We found the surgery was prepared to prescribe, and the doctor ended the consultation with, « When I see you again in 6 months … ».
Now I had not realised that we needed to name a MT for the application to CPAM. Madame, at her first appointment, asked about this and the doctor was quite happy to allow us to call him out MT.
Likewise the dentist. We made appointments for checkups and the dentist was happy for us to be put on her list.
My analysis is that the MT/dentist wants to see you first, to check s/he is happy to have you on the list.
I hope that’s helpful.
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When we moved to a new MT I registered first, and OH was rejected by the secretary. I had an appointment with the doc and asked if he could register. She asked me if he was in good health and when I said yes, she said yes!
Registering with a MT also saves money as many things in your parcours de soins will be cheaper. Which of course may or may not be of interest depending on your mutuelle status.
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Our village doctor has taken semi-retirement and reduced her hours by about half. She would like to retire completely but cannot find anyone to replace her. A routine appointment for a prescription renewal now has a delay of around 11 weeks, but in part, this is due to her keeping back some appointment slots for folks who suddenly fall ill.
Due to the type of drugs prescribed, I need an appointment every 3 months, so after having obtained my prescription renewal the first thing I have to do is to phone and make the next appointment 3 months in advance.
In order to try and combat this problem our departmental authority has opened 3 Maisons de Santé where folks can go and see a doctor on a first come first served basis. There is obviously some traveling involved, and there is no choice as to which doctor one may see, but at least it will be a doctor. For the more minor stuff there is also a Nurse Practitioner on site.
I appreciate that not all Departments will have such a Maison de Santé, but it may be worth looking into for those folks who do not currently have a Medecin Traitant.
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This can also be useful if all other routes fail
https://www.ameli.fr/assure/droits-demarches/difficultes-acces-droits-soins/organisations-coordonnees-territoriales
One of my specialists also offers téléconsultations. Which is great as avoids a 4hour round trip and if I don’t actually need a physical exam it works well. A 20 téléconsultation (usually at 7.30h) is a good stop gap.
Our UK doctor’s surgery (which is about 200 metres from where I live) has adopted the “telephone triage” system full-time. It came in with Covid and they’ve kept it, I assume because it works more efficiently in terms of determining who needs attention and who just needs a couple of paracetamol. 
They do call you in (often the same day, which is not bad for the NHS) if they decide you need to be seen by a doctor.
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you are very lucky, or live in a rather sort after area. My local town has a school ,dentist physio, and a doctor about to retire, and not one has applied in 3 years. This is all over my area, the charming and beautiful little town of Penne d’Agenais, 20 minutes away, has about 4 doctors and a waiting list of 60. M y dentist, near Agen, will take no more clients. It’s a nightmare. If you have young children you stand a better chance.