INSURANCE

Introduction

It must be emphasised that the funding of healthcare is based on a contributory system. Although there are cases where 100% of treatment is covered this is not the norm. Even with hospitalisation you could still end up with a bill for up to 20% of the costs. You will always have to pay for your food and bottled water. Private rooms are readily available but again this will always cost extra.

Complementary Insurance Policies

In view of the way health is funded in France it is not surprising that most French citizens have a complementary insurance. These are called "mutuelles' and "polices compementaires". In larger companies there will be arrangements with a provider and the premiums will be deducted automatically from salary along with all the other statutory deductions.

There are two problems for a newcomer to France when choosing the correct policy. Firstly there is a bewildering choice of product and they are marketed quite aggressively via mail shots and retail outlets and secondly the terms of the benefits may appear strange to a UK National. It would be reasonable to expect that a top up policywould simply pay the diference in the total health costs. Not as simple as that with most French policies. In these matters the French are great lovers of coefficients and percentages! So it is common for policies to say give cover for example of up to 200% or 300% of the Tarif de Convention. (An explanation of the Tarif can be found in the French Health Service section). So in the case of a Specialist charging a "depassement" the top up insurance still may not cover the costs.

Goodhealth Worldwide Limited has been insuring expatriates worldwide for over 20 years. For those resident in France claims are processed in France by an office manned by UK Nationals who are also bi-lingual.

Goodhealth Assistance
Winter Palace
182 Blvd Felix Martin
83700 SAINT RAPHAEL

Tel: 0033 4 94 95 93 38
Fax: 0033 4 94 95 93 38
email: goodhealth@expathealthdirect.co.uk

They have developed policies to satisfy the requirement for a top up policy in terms that are readily understood for UK Nationals and particularly those new to France. They are the Premiere, Premiere Plus and the Premiere International.

They have developed policies to satisfy the requirement for a top up policy in terms that are readily understood for UK Nationals and particularly those new to France. They are the Premiere, Premiere Plus and the Premiere International.

Premiere.
This policy essentially covers the difference in costs in cases of hospitalisation In France and will include a private room for up to 30 days.

Premiere Plus.
This will include all the Premiere benefits plus cost differences involved with out-patient treatment in France. Specific limits apply to dental treatment.

Premiere International.
This covers emergency and elective treatment in other EU states and emergency treatment worldwide.

For more information on these policies please contact Goodhealth Worldwide Limited, French Office or Expathealthdirect Limited

This subject is explored in much greater detail in "Healthcare in France - A Guide for the Expatriate

Tel/Fax: 0033 4 94 85 15 50
email: enquiries@expathealthdirect.co.uk