Sécurité sociale refunds 70 percent of most medical care. However, the more ill a person becomes, the less they pay. People with serious or chronic illnesses (cancer, AIDS, severe mental illness) are reimbursed 100 percent of expenses and waives their co-payment charges.

Refunds

If you are subscribed to the French social security, you need to send a completed form (feuille de soins) to the CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) to make a claim. Enclose bank account details (RIB, Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) for payment within 2-3 weeks.

Polices Complémentaires/Mutelles

Also known as "top-up insurance", these insurance plans help to cover the difference between what the social security system covers and the cost of care. Note that this is not private health insurance.

There are a variety of providers and a competitive market. This kind of insurance may be subsidized by an employer. Someone who is in generally good health may only wish to cover items like hospitalization. Households that fall below a certain threshold and you do not have a police complémentaire are eligible for complementary state-funded health care, CMU complémentaire. While helpful, this only offers an average level of cover.

To qualify, you must:
• Live in France for over three months
• Be in good standing
• Monthly income of your household does not exceed a maximum amount

Private Healthcare

Private coverage may be purchased from private insurers. Most are nonprofit, mutual insurers. This is still an uncommon step with only a small portion of hospital treatment costs reimbursed through private insurance.

Prices

Some plans can cost as low as €10 a month, but this offers only the most basic coverage. The more you spend, the better your coverage. Premiums are charged for private health insurance plans are based on several factors.

These include:
• Your postcode
• Age
• Health Status
• Lifestyle Habits (i.e. smokers, overweight, and people with pre-existing conditions typically pay more for private health insurance)

European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows access to state-provided health care in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost, or sometimes free of charge. The card can be used at any kind of health service, like at a general practitioner, hospital or pharmacy. Benefits depend on the country's standard of care.

The pocket-sized plastic card is free and necessary to receive treatment. Carry your EHIC with you at all times to prove you are entitled to health care. The card contains basic information such as the card holder's name and surname and date of birth, but no medical details. It is easy to use as it has a gold chip that contains complete medical history and records. The EHIC replaces the E111 form and E111.

What Can the Card be Used For?

The EHIC covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip. The card gives access to reduced-cost or free medical treatment from state health care providers.

This includes:
• Accident or emergency
• Treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition that becomes necessary during your visit
• Routine maternity care as long as you're not going abroad to give birth. However, where the birth happens unexpectedly, the card will cover the cost of all medical treatment for mother and baby that is linked to the birth.
• Oxygen and kidney dialysis, although this will need to be arranged and pre-booked.

It is not permissible to use it if the patient intentionally decides to obtain medical treatment abroad. The EHIC is also not an alternative to travel insurance. The card does not cover private sector health care providers. It is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy.

Who is Eligible?

The European Health Insurance Card is issued to:
• EU nationals
• Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Spanish nationals
• Family members of the above, whatever their nationality
• Nationals of other countries, who are covered by a social security system in one of the Member States of the EU, the EEA or Spain

How to use the Card

If you require treatment while abroad, you should first locate a facility using the database. Card holders should be able to simply supply their card for care. Through the database, you can find institutions involved with the reimbursement of health care services. Users are able to select country and keywords, and are supplied with the facilities contact information (address, phone number, e-mail address, fax number).

How to Claim a Refund?

You may need to apply for a refund depending on the coverage offered in your home country versus that of the country in which you receive care. Some European health systems expect you to pay your bill when you are treated and then claim a refund using your EHIC. To find out what the requirements are of the country you are in, consult the country guide. Keep all receipts and paperwork to file a claim. Try to apply for reimbursement before leaving the country, or at least as soon as possible.

• For more information on the EHIC, "Guide to the European Health Insurance Card" and our expat FAQ on the European Health Insurance Card.

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