Health Insurance

[Mamajb]

Individuals who intend moving to France should obtain a European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC. Since 1st January 2006 this replaces the E111(and E111B, E110, E128 and E1119). The card can be applied for online, by phone, or via the local Post Office. Once a work contract or state pension is in place in France, registration with the French Social Security is possible, which then covers medical care for worker, spouse and dependants (as long as they are not self-employed). If retiring to France, see section on Pensioners.

Visit the local ‘Caisse de Sécurité Sociale’ to find out which doctors and dentists are ‘conventionné’ and work within the French Social Security system.

The local sickness insurance office, CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie), will issue a ‘carte vitale’ to those making contributions to the Social Security scheme, which can be used in computerized pharmacies, doctors’ surgeries and dentists and whereby part-payment is made directly via this card from the CPAM, thus avoiding the need to apply for re-imbursement.

The CPAM will pay about 70% of medical expenses, either via the ‘carte vitale’ directly or to be claimed back afterwards with the 'feuille de soins' (a signed statement of treatment). However it is advisable to take out complementary insurance (‘mutuelle’ or ‘complémentaire maladie’) to cover extra costs. If not paid directly with the ‘carte vitale’, a refund for prescriptions (35-65%) can also be obtained at the CPAM by taking the detachable labels, or ‘vignettes’ from the medicine container and attaching them to the ‘feuille de soins’. More than 75% of hospital treatment is paid directly by the CPAM but the balance and a fixed charge for each day in the hospital, a ‘forfeit journalier’, is to be paid by the patient and are non-refundable.