Private Health Insurance

[?X]

(I've done a forum search but not found or have missed answers - if me missing then many apologies).

I used to live in France but commitments forced a return to the UK around the time that the Private Health Insurance for "inactif's" was introduced (2007/8'ish). When I moved back to UK there were no companies offering cover to match the Gov. then required level of cover.

I'm now considering my return, again as "inactif" and not yet of retirement age. Truth is that Brexit is bringing my plans forward subject to your rights under Freedom of Movement depending on where you reside on the day the UK leaves (so a lot still up-in-the-air subject to 101 possibilities and who knows what UK will do for even those retired ...).

But to return to residing in France I would undoubtedly need Private Health Insurance (unless those requirements have dramatically changed (I used up my E106 last time I lived in France ... and no more NI contributions since then).

So question: Are there companies offering Private Health Cover that meets whatever Gov. requirements might be (i.e. to be legally resident). And if so and whilst premiums must vary depending on individual, what sort of pricing (e.g. at US levels, comparable to BUPA in UK, experience for a healthy somebody in early 60's - any ideas). And/or pointing me to any companies offering such policies.

Many thanks.

[EuroTrash]

If you meet the criteria for legal residence in France as an inactif you can apply for state healthcare (PUMA) after three months' residence

http://www.cleiss.fr/docs/regimes/regime_france/an_1.html

Don't assume everything is the same now as it was in 2008, a lot has changed. Hollande has been and gone, now we have Macron and more changes on the way. Probably a good idea to forget all about how things worked in 2008 and do some general research from scratch.

[?X]

[quote user="EuroTrash"]If you meet the criteria for legal residence in France as an inactif you can apply for state healthcare (PUMA) after three months' residence

http://www.cleiss.fr/docs/regimes/regime_france/an_1.html

Don't assume everything is the same now as it was in 2008, a lot has changed. Hollande has been and gone, now we have Macron and more changes on the way. Probably a good idea to forget all about how things worked in 2008 and do some general research from scratch.[/quote]

The changes impacting me re Health insurance cover were introduced by Sarkozy.

For the 3 month "window" what cover is available. I understood EHIC won't cover you if you are resident overseas. Previous changes required you to have Private Insurance to be classed as "legally resident" (I think it was 5 years then you could apply to join CPAM).

I don't regard 3 months without health cover as a risk (I'm fortunate enough to rarely use medical services) and I note the new Puma scheme requires you to be resident only "on a stable and ongoing basis".

My concerns stem from my previous experiences registering with CPAM where they were sticklers for paperwork (and rejected a couple of E106's).

I will research more (thanks as the name of the scheme will help a lot) as the linked page seems to include conflicting things e.g. "Under the new Universal Healthcare Coverage system (Protection Universelle Maladie/ PUMA), which was rolled out on January 1st, 2016, adults can no longer be considered beneficiaries, even if they are not employed. Only minors continue to be considered beneficiaries up to September 30th of the year in which they reach the age of 18, whether or not they are enrolled in certain educational programs, and provided that they are not employed." - suggests adults excluded?

I also note "Strictly speaking, the régulière test continues to be a problem for economically inactive early retirees from Europe, for it requires you have health insurance cover and be resident for at least five years.

In guidance issued as part of the introduction of PUMA early retirees with under 5 years' legal residence are excluded from PUMA unless there was a change in their circumstances whilst resident in France that prevents them continuing to obtaining private health insurance." Meaning I'd still need Private Health Insurance for 5 years (or until I reach retirement age IF the UK Gov. then underwrites the costs ......)

Thanks

[EuroTrash]

All adults who are legally resident in France are now entitled to healthcover in their own right, therefore logically there is no longer any need for the "ayant droit" (ie dependent) status. Everyone has their own carte vitale and pays their own contributions if appropriate. Except for kids, obviously, who can still be ayant droit..

For the first 5 years of residence you have to continuously meet the conditions for legal residence, ie if you're inactive you need your minimum income in order to qualify for healthcare. After 5 years legal residence you no longer have to meet any conditions. That's the only difference the 5 years makes. I don't know what that "strictly speaking" quote is talking about, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with obtaining healthcare.

I don't know if this will change post Brexit.

[Chancer]

Ignore all the internet lawyers interprétations of legal residence, go to the CPAM with a justicatif de domicile, the best being an attestation from the mairie showing the date you were resident from, an utility bill just in case but the previous should suffice, an RIB for your bank account your passport if it makes you feel better but not needed and they will welcome you with open arms into the PUMA system, no questions or interrogations into legal residence or anything else, job done and will take all of 2 minutes.

 

Dont worry yourself about all the other speculation which whilst it may have some foundation was never applied even before PUMA, its such a shame that you should have moved away in 2007 because of at best well meaning bad advice.

 

Time to make up for it now!

[NormanH]

What is " an attestation from the mairie showing the date you were resident from"?

My Mairie would have no idea, and probably don't know that I am resident now, since one doesn't register with them, certainly not in a town the size of Béziers.

I registered with the Préfecture

There are 101 prefectures in France, one for each department. The official in charge is the prefect (French: préfet). The prefecture is an administration that belongs to the Ministry of the Interior,

and is therefore in charge of the delivery of identity cards, driving

licenses, passports, residency and work permits for foreigners, vehicle

registration, registration .....

[Chancer]

If you ask them for one they will comply, I got mine many years back, cant recall what for but it still has its uses as above, he asked me what date I wanted putting on it, the previous Maire that is, the current one would not pi55 on me if I were on fire. 

[?X]

[quote user="Chancer"].....

Dont worry yourself about all the other speculation which whilst it may have some foundation was never applied even before PUMA, its such a shame that you should have moved away in 2007 because of at best well meaning bad advice.

Time to make up for it now![/quote]

Main reason for return to UK was other commitments (family members getting old needing help ...). But the health cover was a concern particularly as back in the UK at least some areas were still using the "6 month" delay before non-emergency NHS secondary healthcare!

[?X]

[quote user="EuroTrash"].....After 5 years legal residence you no longer have to meet any conditions. That's the only difference the 5 years makes. I don't know what that "strictly speaking" quote is talking about, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with obtaining healthcare.

I don't know if this will change post Brexit.[/quote]

I got the "strictly speaking" from [url]https://www.french-property.com/news/french_health/protection_universelle_maladie/[/url] - short way down under "Legal Residency Requirements".

I'd wonder how much the different departments' CPAMs vary. Certainly when I registered before they were exceptionally strict about every dot on every "i" and every cross on every "t" (so a straight forward matter of getting it "right" for them and putting everything in a folder!

I guess a lot can change post-Brexit hence I'd be looking to more/register, etc. before UK leave date (which mans bringing plans forward).