Replacement part - health care in France

Sometime in late August, my shoulder froze, again. I think the first time it froze was when I was still working. That means it was before 2007. I remember not being able to change gears during my daily commute. It was actually frightening. I also had trouble typing and that was part of my job. It didn't last long. It hit me again shortly after I stopped working, early in 2008, I guess. Again, it didn't last and I forgot about it.
In 2012, my shoulder froze and I consulted the rheumatologist, who prescribed pain medication and by 2013 felt that the osteoarthritis had progressed to the point I should consult a surgeon. Before I got to the appointment with the surgeon she had recommended, I found an osteopath, who unblocked the shoulder. It still hurt but at least I could move my arm. That first surgeon wanted to do a shoulder replacement immediately. I asked him whom he would go to if his shoulder froze and that is how I found my surgeon.
Dr. Grimberg, then, consulted at a clinic not far from where we live. At home, when I said I had an appointment with him, my daughter reminded us that he was the surgeon who had repaired her collar bone several years before and she was happy with the result! He did a much more thorough exam of my arm movement than the first guy (made possible by continuing to go to the osteopath) and said that I would certainly need a shoulder replacement, but not immediately. He asked that the next time my shoulder froze up I should let him see me before going to the osteopath so that he could see me at the worst. He agreed that as long as there was cartilage the osteopath could delay the surgery.
When I couldn't move my arm this summer, I made an appointment with Dr. Grimberg. He's now practicing in the 16th, not near us by public transportation or car. I did not hesitate, though. I did not want to go through the process of finding another surgeon I liked. Getting the appointment was easy and there was not a long wait. I saw him on September 11. He prescribed an x-ray and an MRI, both of which I had done within a week and I had my next appointment on September 16. He demonstrated to me that it was time for surgery. I asked how soon. He had one slot for the 26th and after that, it would have to wait for mid-October. I took the open slot. For those who want to know what kind of surgery, look up "reverse shoulder replacement".
I had my 6-week post-op checkup, last week. I know the physical therapist (kiné) is happy with my progress. I am pleased with the progress. The doctor is very pleased. Next appointment in 3 months. I know that next week the kiné will start working on movement behind my back. I can't wait. I haven't been able to reach behind my back in ages!
The French system is a mix of Sécu and private insurance. Major illnesses (diabetes, cancer, heart, etc.) and surgery are covered by the Sécu 100%. That is the rate that public hospitals and doctors that are "conventionnés I" charge. Other, non-major consultations are covered by the Sécu 70% and the supplemental insurance covers the rest. Some supplemental insurance covers the extra expense of doctors that charge more and for that, it is the customer who decides how much he or she is willing to spend each month for how much extra coverage. We don't go for much extra coverage; that's our choice.
Cost: My total out of pocket expense is less than €1000, about a quarter of the total cost. This doctor does not practice in a public hospital. He charges over the Sécu (French social security is medical coverage, not retirement, and is familiarly called the Sécu.) rate = €1200 out of pocket and the anesthetist also charges over the Sécu rate = €400. Of that our supplemental private insurance covered about half. The clinic charged 2 days for the room, even though it was just for one night and the supplemental insurance we subscribe to only reimbursed €65 per day, not even half of what it cost. The Sécu does not cover a private room, at all. All of the other pre-op, surgery, and post-op expenses were covered by the Sécu or some combination of Sécu and the supplemental insurance, including medication, a nurse house-call every other day to change the dressing and take out the staples and 30 sessions of physical therapy, which are not done, yet.
Choice: I chose my doctor. I could have chosen a surgeon at a public hospital and that would probably have been my decision if I had not already met and appreciated Dr. Grimberg.
Waiting time: Even if I had had to wait until mid-October, I do not think that is outrageously long. As it worked out, I only had a 10-day wait from the appointment when it was decided to operate to the operation. During that week, I had to have lab work, a pre-op appointment with the anesthetist, more x-rays, ....
Care: Top-rate. The clinic is excellent. I like my doctor. He explains everything very well - why this reverse rather than an anatomical replacement. He did not rush into surgery so I trusted him when he said it was finally time. At the clinic, the nurses and nurses aides were attentive and friendly even though I could see they had to hurry. The nurses who made the house-calls (both of them, men) are almost friends. We've known them for years. The kiné is excellent and has me working hard for a positive outcome. When I've been to the hospital (last time, 2008), I've had only the best care, too.