Repeat prescriptions

[Suee]

I've read the thread on 'prescription costs' with interest. Maybe someone could reassure me that my planning is right : we're more or less resident in France from now on but will be applying for E106 from January 07 (FAQ advice on NI contribs). We're still going backwards and forwards to visit family so can justify to our English GP that we are just taking 2 month holidays at a time this year. I have a repeat prescription for thyroxine so I assume I'll have to collect it myself when back in UK until Jan 07 when I register with CPAM. After that, I'll need to register with a GP in France and ask to be referred on to a specialist to confirm my thyroid condition. Hopefully then I'll qualify for a maladie longue duree and be eligible for 100% costs of prescriptions.

Thanks in anticipation, Sue.

[Sunday Driver]

If you have left the UK and are living in France (albeit with occasional return visits to the UK), then you are classed as resident in France.  So why don't you apply for your E106 now and get yourself properly registered with the French healthcare system. 

As a foreign resident, you no longer qualify for NHS cover, despite supressing this information from your English GP and obtaining subsidised drugs on prescription which you may not be entitled to.  Furthermore, you may no longer rely on your UK E111/European Healthcare Card, so if you need any treatment in France, it will be at 100% cost to yourself and your family.

You may also wish to check out the French national healthcare website [url=http://www.ameli.fr] HERE [/url] to confirm whether or not you'll be eligible for 100% reimbursement of thyroid treatment.  I've had a look and I can't see it listed as a qualifying "affection de longue duree".

[hastobe]

There is a list of all the 'affection de longue duree' on the CPAM site.  Like SD, I can't see thyroid disease listed - unless its under heriditary metabolic disorders.  But this description suggests the disorder has to be of a type that requires 'prolonged and specialised treatment' - which I guess means taking a thyroxine tablet everyday wouldn't count!  I was interested as I also have thyroid disease and, like you, get all my prescription medicines free in the UK.  (I think the rationale in the UK is that if you don't take the thyroid medications you could develop more serious health issues.)  But it looks like they have a different attitude in France and you have to pay for them 

Kathie

 

[Suee]

Kathie, I too think underactive thyroid would come under metabolic disorders, as without the daily thyroxine, my metabolism would slow right down with serious implications. Maybe someone in France has experience of this condition?

It does seem as though I need to get registered ASAP in France and will do so, as I've no desire to be fraudulent. I'm fortunate that my English GP is prepared to be supportive during the transition period.

Sue.

[Sunday Driver]

Sue

Your doctor will confirm whether or not your treatment may qualify as an ALD and he will send a letter of recommendation to your CPAM.  They will make the ulitmate decision as to whether they give you the 100% reimbursement.  Note that the 100% would only apply to that particular treatment - anything else will be at normal rates.  

 

[Jc]

It is nice to hear that someone has no desire to be fraudulent as too many people on these fora appear to be looking for ways around laws,regulations and contracts.

[Benjamin]

Jc

I don't know about other forums as I only use this one but isn't your comment about "many" people a bit scathing? I seem to see the occasional posting which looks a bit suspicious.

So as not to cast a slur on the "many" people who contribute to this forum can you be a little more specific?

Benjamin

[Suze01]

I think you should have quoted "too many" rather than just "many".  One can be "too many" [;-)]

[Will]

I think in most cases it is because people do not realise that things are different in France, and assume, often wrongly, that because something is done in a particular way in Britain then the same rules will apply in the rest of Europe. That is where forums like this can prove very useful, as long as there are people who know the correct procedures and are willing to pass them on.

Of course there will always be a minority that refuse to obey the rules of the place where they have chosen to live.

[Jc]

I agree that "one can be too many",which is why I said too many in my posting.

[Benjamin]

And there was I thinking you meant a lot when you only meant one.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Benjamin

[suzy]

Is anyone taking the equivalent of Nebivolol ?  I have to take this daily, but looking at the list of long term illnesses, it includes severe hypertension, but I wouldn't say mine was severe.  Any ideas ?

Suzy

 

[Sunday Driver]

Nebivolol is a beta blocker drug which blocks the effect of the hormone adrenaline and the sympathetic nervous system on the body. This relaxes the heart so that it beats more slowly, lowering the blood pressure.

If this simple medication does not have the required efffect, or your condition is more severe, then your doctor would probably have prescribed an ACE inhibitor such as Triatic (Rampril) which stops the production of a hormone called angiotensin II that makes the blood vessels narrow. As a result, the vessels expand, improving blood flow. Tension in the circulation is also lowered by the kidneys filtering more fluid from the blood vessels into urine, also helping to reduce blood pressure.  Makes you pee a bit more, though....

If, as you say, your condition is mild, then I doubt it would qualify as an ALD.