Final Statement 21st September 2007 regarding the withdrawal of French NHS rights.   

It has been announced that State Healthcare  is no longer available to all residents of France under the provisions of CMU (law 99-641).  People arriving in France from other EU member states are  no longer entitled to State Healthcare cover under the provisions of the aforesaid  law; only residents who are French nationals may be entitled on application. 

We should emphasise that holders of the E106 or E109 are not affected until the Forms expire and holders of the E121 whilst their entitlement is valid. People who  work in France and pay social security contributions are not affected either. 

For people who are already affiliated under the provisions of CMU cover will be continued for a further six months from 1st October 2007 to allow  time to make alternative arrangements but this may be subject to means and personal circumstances.

The available options open, if you do not have an E106, E109 or E121 are: 

• Private full cover medical insurance (no longer illegal for those denied  State Healthcare),
• Working.

There is a part time working plan that qualifies for State Healthcare and if you are interested in this please ask us for details.

This situation  is not confined to France only as many member states do not have an alterative such as CMU. France has come into line by withdrawing something really  intended for under privilaged French nationals in the first place. 

Our website is updated regularly under the NEWS FLASH for those who wish to keep aware of new developments.

We are planning to introduce  a new range of full  cover policies soon after the 1st of October and will do our best the help those who are affected.

Changes to the State Healthcare System In France  

We have received many calls and emails from readers worried about the changes which are being brought in relating to state healthcare in France. This follows our article announcing those changes in the September edition of The Connexion which sparked follow-up articles in several national British newspapers.

The Connexion yesterday, (September 7), spoke with the French Ministry of Health. It confirmed that people from the EU who are resident in France and meet the following criteria:

1. They are below state retirement age (English state retirement age, not French – and, therefore, not in receipt of an E121)
2. They are not in receipt of an E106 (allowable for two years only on moving to France)
3. They are not working

are NOT eligible for subscription to the French state healthcare system, the Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU.) It told us that this applies irrespective of your financial situation................................

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Health Insurance in France

Exclusive Healthcare SA is A French Company, specialising in Health Insurance.

So why do you, as an expatriate resident or visitor, need to buy health insurance in France? Many people arrive in France under the mistaken impression that the French NHS and the UK NHS are similar and their health cover will be easily transferred.

This is not always correct. Having the right information about health insurance in particular is of vital importance as you settle into a new life in France. You will find it in this website or you can contact us and we will be glad to help you.

The National Health Insurance system in France

Standards are high in the health system; the public and private sectors of healthcare in France operate alongside one another and the quality of health treatment offered by each one is virtually the same. An important point is that within the health system in France there is no lack of capacity.

No waiting for healthcare treatment or for a bed and normally you can go into the clinic or general hospital of your choice. A recent report on world medical care produced by the World Health Organisation placed healthcare in France above all other countries in the world.

It is worthy of note that healthcare establishments and practitioners in France are comprehensively classified by the state. However certain healthcare establishments and practitioners, especially consultants, are free to charge more than the Tarif, but this is limited.

The French system is probably very different from anything you have experienced before.

Normally you will have to pay some or the entire bill before leaving the Doctor's surgery or the Medical facility and then claim re-imbursement. The health service in France, unlike the UK National Health Service, is not a completely free service.

Even if you are registered with CPAM (The National Health Insurance service in France) you will still need a top-up insurance policy. The same applies to short and long term visitors using the EHIC (former E111) system. It should be noted that the French service, plus a good private top-up policy, will give you the best medical insurance possible.

It would fill many pages to examine the regulations and operations of the French state health insurance system and to fully understand why nearly all French people have a Top-up health insurance or "Mutuelle" as they call it in France. We try to make that simple within this website.

If you are admitted to a healthcare establishment you will be asked for your CPAM health insurance card (Carte Vitale) and for your Mutuelle (Top-up Health Insurance) card. This is because there is nearly always a part of the bill to pay which is not met by your CPAM based insurance.

If you qualify for the maximum reimbursement because you have one of the thirty serious classified diseases, are to undergo significant surgery or have a long term illness, you will only pay for food and extras or "Dépassements" as they are called, such as consultants fees in excess of CPAM scales. Normally your share will be between 5% and 10% of the total cost.

If however, you are admitted neither for surgery nor for one of the thirty diseases (for instance cancer) then is the position quite different. In such cases CPAM pays only 80% of the scale leaving you to pay 20% plus Dépassements, food etc. Your share then, is usually 25% to 30% of the total cost and you may be facing a bill for several thousands of pounds. Add ambulance charges, consultant’s fees, diagnostic costs etc. prior to admission and then after-care and the figure can become daunting.

Every one living in France needs health insurance of some sort. Depending on our circumstances this may take the form of private insurance, French state insurance or a combination of the two.

The sections available on this healthcare based website deal with the rights and obligations of expatriates living in France, your situation if you are insured under the state system and the options open to you in finding an ideal solution. It also deals with visitors to France

Please feel free to contact us at any time for advice.