Jazzer

I have read  the factsheet from BigDish as to adding free to air channels. This is based on a Bush set up. The manual set up on Humax seems to be different. Has anyone added channels on a Humax box?

I have today received a letter from Teleconnect, with CD. Iquote the first paragraph"This is the final step of your internet access upgrade. If you have already downloaded AND installed the B10004_1 update file, you are all set, congratulations.Maybe you will have to apply a manual reset on your modem file. If you have not downloaded and installed the update file,please follow the instructions below. The remainder of the letter is advising to insert CD in PC. I don't know if this does a better job than the original instructions. I am still tempted to wait and see.

I am amazed with all the problems they are seeing, they continue to send out the letters and emails. Probably best of they were to take stock  As to service, good in general with telephone,but they have never ever replied to  any of my emails.

Thanks to everyone.  I tried the box in our gite near la Rochelle- all working ok. Returned home. No 5 cluster. Switched off at mains,removed card, switched on at mains,inserted card and all now working.

I have Sky dish twin LNB. Foxsat Freesat has channel 5 working as normal, However Sky box says no signal for all the 5 channels.Anyone else having the same problem? It's no big deal, but I am just interested in why it should be, and in particular why should Freesat work and not Sky?

It dose seem as if everybodys VOIP number is changing. I have today received un email telling me that I can now install the upgrade file recently sent to me. I have also recived a letter in which there is a line" In most cases the upgrade will be processed automatically before March 31st. Do not install the upgrade file until asked for by our technical team. I think  I will wait a few days before attempting anything to see if things settle.

I did exactly  the same as ErnieY.At the moment all working as normal.

In our gite we have PVC floor tiles which are showing wear. I would like to retile with  standard floor tiling.I assume it's preferable top remove the tiles Anybody any advice on how to remove? I suppose they could be left, but would they cause any dampness?   Many thanks for any help

The point I am trying to make is that whilst the French government may wish to examine the legality of those who are applying under the 5 year rule, those who  receive their E121's before the 5 years are up should I hope just be allowed into the system as a right.

Jo, many thanks for your reply. Thankfully the gite  is not my only source of income, I have an occupational pension and investment income which totals in excess of €22000.

Bearing in mind the advice by French Health Issues that when you are applying to join the CMU after 5 years residency then they make ask to see your insurance document to prove that you have had the correct cover - which I agree is quite likely I wonder how that would affect those of us who will be entitled to an E121 in just over 2 years time. In other words is it a right to enter the same system we are now in as holders of E106's or will they too look at what we have done insurance wise in the interim?

Thankfully the money raised will be for good causes.However for those of us who will be paying cash for our prescriptions how will they be able to cap at €50!   And back in Wales, prescriptions are free.. Although there are those in Wales who think "free" should be means tested and this would enable morte cancer and altzeimers treatments to be more available.

Slightly off  track but I am suffering from information overload.   At present I am registered Micro BIC for our sole gite which brings in an income of around €6000.I have been considering using this as a vehicle for entering the French Health System now that my E106 expires in Jan, However I read on a property website that you MAY be required to pay socialcontributions if you have 2 or more dwellings, the properties are the principle homes of the occupants, and the minimum criteria is €23000 or more than 50% of earnings. Would this therefore prevent me from joining?   Hoping someone can help me, Many thanks

Just received avis d'imposition Contributios Sociales revenus de 2006. "Amused" to read that 8.2 % is for CSG including assurance maladie.Admitedly for a small amount, but assume I will again be paying in 2007, for a system I will not be allowed to join!

I have just come across your posting. Could  I ask kf you have decided to go down the self employed route? I think it may well be my best option. At present I am looking for an accountant who may speak a little English to take it further.

If this is the system that is adopted would I be right in assuming the following   For someone who has an E106 expiring in January, one party in good health the other with pre-existing condition.Social contribution of 8%, PHI premiums for the healthy person and €7272 for the other plus top up insurance?

Many thanks Panda- I am number crunching. Trying to decide which route to go down if the E106 problem is not resolved. from the information you give it seems to be the best route for me with only the 1 gite.   Best wishes   Jazzer

Hello   Interested in your reply. You mention cotisations around €3500. Do you also pay social charges on top?

I have just telephoned my broker. Had previosly received by post some quotes, including one from Swiss sante who are my current top up providers. This was for hospital only cover. seemed to fit the bill for us, I am in good health, never visit the doctor, my wife has pre-existing condition. Prefer to pay as I go, could even buy drugs on internet/  Now told that whilst it is in order for Swiss Sante to sell such a policy, it will not satisfy the new Government requirements, and they could be fined for even discussing it!. Went on to say that they had spoken to CPAM who have been told that a circular wll be issued before this weekend which they understand will allow those with pre-existing conditions to join CPAM,.Advised me to await outcome before doing anything.

There are 3/4 pages in the December edition of the Connexion.Meanwhile I have received a reply to my posting on the Conservatives Abroad blog. This is the main body of the reply::   " We have now received the answers to gary Streeter's Parliamentary Questions which can be viewed on the Conservatives Abroad website.   They are disapointed by the non commital answers given by the minister. the people who are going to be affected by the French Government decision fully researched how they would access healthcare when they moved abroad to live in France.   It has been brought to our attention that Britons living in France already paying in tio the CMU will be allowed to continue. However, the Labour government must do more to make sure that all those currently living in France with a valid E106 will be able to access the Healthcare system without needing Private Health Insurance when it expires. It is unacceptable to think they would allow this to happen. We will continue to pressure the government to put measures in place to ensure British expats do not find themselves in this position.

The Benefit of Hindsight- I have worked a total of 44 years.Made redundant in 1997 and then re employed some 6 months later Perhaps better if I had not worked so close to arriving in France(Jan 2006) as I would now be in the system To make matters worse I was initially given an E106 for 1 year which I contested and won. If I had not bothered I would  have beeen  in the system.And to cap it all I come from Wales where prescriptions are now free!

Being a total novice the replies to my post have cleared  my mind even though I may have confused many others.I am registered as a micro for my gite but pay no cotisations. I now feel I should register with the RSI and this should enable me to join the health system. My concern was that CPAM had advised someone that this was still regarded  as "Inactif"   Following on if I am able to  take this route  when would I start paying cotisations and cover commence?

As to running a chambre d'hote the reply given sounds suspicious. I have now recived my letter advising that in jan my cover will cease. There is a sheet enclosed suggesting that further information can be received if  you rent a gite,chambre d'hote and activities artisinale to contact the regime social des independants du Poitou-Charentes (RSI) . - I live in Charente maritime. At the moment I am registered under the micro regime but I have been considering going down the full route.

Many thanks for that. I did in fact ask my Broker when the news originally broke, to be advised they knew nothing of these rumours even after discussing with the local social security. I will now folllow up.

I have just received my renewal notice from Swiss Life- no 2 month notice!.   My E 106 will expire in Jan.I assume I am not alone, but wonder what others are doing. Renewing without comment or making enquiries as to what happens if  as suspected we have to take out Private insurance?