|
 
 Living abroad? Call us for a Global Health Insurance Quotation +44 (0) 191 297 2411
|
Exclusive Healthcare SA France HEALTH
INSURANCE FOR AMERICAN EXPATRIATES These notes have been prepared to assist you if you are currently living in France or contemplating doing so. It is not surprising that many people choose France as their home after they have retired. France not only offers a new adventure in the Old World but perhaps the expectation of a longer and more active retirement than most other countries in the world. It is a beautiful country stretching from the Channel in the North with the English coast just across the water, to the Mediterranean in the South with Africa just the other side of the horizon. In most cases these places are a short distance away by car, ship or air.
The following paper is not a complete description of the French system which is the subject of many pages of rules and regulations. We hope however, we have provided you with an overall picture of the system and an understanding of what your rights are and how you can live in France in security and enjoyment of perhaps the world’s best healthcare system at the lowest possible cost. THE MEDICAL SERVICE IN FRANCE Health
care and health facilities in France are excellent. France spends a greater
proportion of her GNP on health than on defence. Standards are high; the
public and private sectors operate alongside one another and the quality
of treatment offered by each one is virtually the same. It should be noted
also, that there is no lack of capacity. You will not have to wait for
treatment or for a bed and unless you are hospitalised in an emergency,
you can go into the clinic or general hospital of your choice. It is worth
comment that a ward in a French hospital generally consists of not more
than four beds and usually only two in the more modern establishments.
Private rooms are readily available. A recent report on world medical
care produced by the World Health Organisation placed France above all
other countries in the world.
This paper is primarily concerned with medical care because this is our area of expertise and where we can help you to understand the steps necessary to live out a long and active retirement free of worry. However, it is appropriate to cover the legal aspects of coming to live in France and what you need to do before leaving the US.
If one spouse or the other is French or a citizen of an EU member state a Long Term Visa may not be required. In such cases you should consult with your nearest French Consulate General and confirm that that the holder’s passport is current and has not expired.
In addition, it is important to note that you will have to provide proof of medical cover in France effective upon arrival. See Appendix 1. If you intend to stay in France you will need to apply for a Carte de Sejour as soon as possible. You will need to show evidence of medical cover in France when making an Application. EXCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE is able to help you wth this having developed a system specially for our clients.
This Section applies to all residents of France of all nationalities regardless of whether you are a national of a member state in the European Union or not. On 1st January 2000 an event of great significance occurred in France. "Couverture Maladie Universelle" [CMU] came into existance. The enacting Law, No 99-641 of 27th July 1999, provides that all residents of Mainland France and her overseas departments will have the right to State Healthcare [French NHS] at a relatively low cost. This has introduced an important new consideration in making a decision to live in France. The public healthcare service does not impose any age limit and does not require any medical test. There are no medical questions and anyone will be accepted regardless of their physical condition. Treatment in the best private establishments is freely available at the patients choice. The State settles its share of hospital bills directly and reimbursement of cash payments for such items as routine visits to the doctor are automatic and made within a few days. Entitlement to State Healthcare. The principle qualification is residence for not less than three months. You are expected to satisfy the legal requirements of residence (ie.Carte de Sejour). We publish detailed papers on the process you need to follow after arrival in France and these are available to you on application. We also assist to prepare you before you leave the US and on your arrival in France. YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE RESIDENT IN FRANCE YOU ARE OBLIGED BY LAW [99-641 & 95-116] TO APPLY FOR AFFILIATION TO THE STATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THERE ARE SEVERE PENALTIES FOR NOT DOING SO AND THE COVER PROVIDED BY THE STATE, MAY NOT BE REPLACED BY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES. HOWEVER POLICIES THAT ARE COMPLEMENTARY TO THE STATE SYSTEM ARE LEGAL AND NEARLY ALL RESIDENTS INCLUDING FRENCH PEOPLE HAVE THEM. THEY “TOP-UP” THE STATE’S GUARANTEES AND ARE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE. A
good basic top-up policy for a single person in his 50s would cost €
24.00/ month and On applying for CMU you will need to provide some evidence of your income. Normally this will be based on your French Tax Declaration. However, if you have just arrived in France you will not be making such a declaration until March of the following year for the current year. In such a case evidence from your home country will be accepted.
We conclude with some useful addresses and the sincere hope that you will find this paper useful.
Issued by EXCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE SA January
2004
French Consulates General in America WASHINGTON.
D.C. ATLANTA
French Consulate General BOSTON
French Consulate General CHICAGO
French Consulate General HOUSTON
French Consulate General
LOS
ANGELES
French Consulate General MIAMI
French Consulate General NEW-YORK
French Consulate General SAN
FRANCISCO French Consulate General OTHER FRENCH CONSULAR OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES: France also maintains a consular agent or an honorary consul in many cities in the United States. Their addresses can be obtained from the appropriate French Consulate. They can perform some consular services but do not issue visas. OTHER USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION French
Government web site. This is a very large site that may be viewed in a number of languages including English. It is interactive and contains information about the country and the legal requirements to visit France or to become resident. “Blue Book: Guide for US Citizens Residing in France. You can download all of the Blue Book via web site www.amb-usa.fr/consul. This is a consular site of the US Embassy in Paris.If you do not find the information you need, send an e-mail to: citizeninfo@state.gov. APPENDIX 2 MEDICAL
INSURANCE FOR THE LONG TERM VISA A FAST TRACK LOW COST SOLUTION The system is based on the Gateway Plans. These are low cost castrophe Policies designed for short term cover up to one year. Higher deductables are available to reduce cost still further. There are 6 simple steps: 1.
Send us a completed Application Form requesting monthly terms with a 2.
We will debit six monthly instalments and issue you with An Attestation
of 3.
The day you arrive in France contact us and we will issue a full set 4.
We will not start applying your payment until the date of 3. above. This 5.
As you will have read in "Living in France" you are obliged
by French Law 6.
We will offer you a special policy that tops-up the French State All the above steps can be carried out by e-mail. The Attestation in French will be sent by post as well in case you are asked for it.. On
arrival in France our Help Lines will be open to advise you at all times. |
|
|
E-mail us: clientservice@medibrokerinternational.com Articles on International Health Insurance, Expatriate Health Insurance, Worldwide Medical Insurance Coverage Medibroker Limited is regulated in the United Kingdom by the
Financial Services Authority. © 2005, Medibroker Limited. All Rights Reserved. |
||
