Decision Implications for 'new' and potential 'new' residents and E106 holders

[makfai]

The situation for those who are resident in France and a part of the CMU seems to have been clarified to some extent so I thought it might be useful to start this topic for those not in that category

I  have today (10:00 BST 12 September 2007) telephoned the  DWP Overseas Medical Benefits line tel: (+44 [0]191 218 1999) and been assured that the position is this:

person already resident in France but are still on the E106

the E106 will remain valid but at the end of the E106 cover you will no longer be able to join the CMU.  When eligible for the E121 then you will no longer need the private health cover as existing arrangements for the E121 will still apply. [Personal Comment: I think that this is 'unreasonable' and believe that persons already resident should be allowed to join the CMU on expiry of the E106.  (I am not in that category by the way!) and that criterion (i.e. residency) was the one used in the British Embassy's email.  I have emailed them again on this]

those who are already committed to moving to France but have not yet arrived or who are contemplating moving to France but are not yet committed to the process.

the E106 will still cover you in the same fashion as it did before the recent changes but once it expires you will be in the same boat as those above but see notes below

NOTES ON E106

FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

For those planning a move please remember that an E106 does not automatically cover you for 2 years.  The E106 expiry date is based on qualification years (i.e. tax years) and only FULLY COMPLETED tax years count.  So for those who are still self-employed in the UK, the current tax year (2007/8) will not count towards the qualification period for any E106 issued in this tax year.  In reality this means that any person still self-employed but moving to France before April 2008 will be issued with an E106 which will expire on or before 3 January 2009.

FOR EMPLOYED

The position for employed persons is similar to the above but the current tax year will count as a qualifying year if that person has earned over a certain amount in pay (varies each year) in the current tax year. For an E106 issued in this current tax year (2007/8) the person must have earned over £4350 in salary for this tax year to be included as a qualifying year.

 

WARNING:

The above information was relayed to me by the staff at the DWP but obviously I cannot accept any responsibility for its accuracy at the time a particular person may read this post - things change (don't we know!).

All persons contemplating a move should contact DWP Overseas Medical Benefits line (0191 218 1999) to check their own specific entitlement and that of any dependents.  The staff who 'man' this helpline have been very helpful and I have not been kept on hold!

 

 

 

[cooperlola]

Thanks again Makfai for doing this on our behalf.

  Mods : This would make an excellent FAQ : A sticky, maybe?

[Russethouse]

I agree but I would like to see it confirmed, especially the situation regarding those currently on E106, by a French source.

 

[cooperlola]

Too true, R/H.  It is, after all, the French authorities who will have the last word.  But I believe that Monday's meeting included representatives from the UK so hopefully, this confirms the outcome from both sides.

As two different people from the same French organisation, quoted different "facts" on this earlier, it's still possible that different CPAMs may jump different ways until this is difinitive.  I await my letter with interest....

[Sunday Driver]

The information provided by the DWP staff in Glyn's link appears to be inconsistent with the position on the French side.

If you previously arrived in France with an E106, then you will have registered for CMU under the reciprocal arrangements criteria and you will have been issued with a social security number, so you are 'in the system'.  Upon expiry of the E106, your exisiting CMU registration should be subject to normal renewal, but now under the residency criteria, and you will have to provide the usual annual proof of residence, ie a tax avis.  It is not a matter of joining the CMU because you're already in it.

The indications are that anyone who is currently registered will be entitled to continue with their cover and that the limitions will only apply to new arrivals.  That would suggest that currently registered E106 holders will be allowed continuing cover, albeit on a contributory basis.

(also copied to the original subject thread).

 

[makfai]

[quote user="cooperlola"]

  Mods : This would make an excellent FAQ : A sticky, maybe?

[/quote]

I think we should perhaps wait before making this a sticky as we still seem to have a conflict of views on the future of 'current residents still on an E106 ' category but there is no reason why certain useful links, phone nos, email and actual addresses couldn't be put into a sticky as a sort of 'Useful Points of Contact on Health Care' type thing.  In fact we should be getting the actual rulings from the English language service of France's CPAM tel: +33 8 20 90 42 12 but any verbal clarification is only as good as the paper it is (not) written on!

I also think coop's list of sources of private insurance is useful.  It is not advertising a such as providing a handy point of reference

[makfai]

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]

The information provided by the DWP staff in Glyn's link appears to be inconsistent with the position on the French side.

[/quote]

First question - who is 'Glynn'?[:)]...EDIT: Found him here http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/13/1011687/ShowPost.aspx#1011687

Secondly, the DWP's position is certainly inconsistent with the position on the British Embassy's side but I have not yet seen anything official from the French side yet to judge one way or the other.

I go along with what SD says on this. I have always maintained that the only 'reasonable' application of this legislation is for persons who are now resident and on an E106 to merge into the CMU once the E106 expires. However, I have always accepted that my interpretation of 'reasonableness' may not be the same as that of the French Govt. 

I just hope that the DWP's position is wrong and that the Embassy's position is correct. I will post the reply to my email to them as soon as it arrives. 

In the meantime, anyone heard anything from the official French side yet?

[Glyn]

I'm Glyn! Not sure who Glynn is though[:)]

At the end of the day I dont think it matters how the British Embassy or DWP think the new rules will be implemented, it is just down to how they will be interpreted by the French authorities and at the moment they seem to be saying very little about things.

I just hope it turns out OK for as many people as possible.

 

[makfai]

[quote user="Glyn"]

I'm Glyn! Not sure who Glynn is though[:)]

[/quote]

 

Sorry about that!  This nnot knnowinng about the nnew policy has become a nnuisance and appears to be havinng ann adverse affect on my nnervous system.  Luckily it is nnot obvious to others yet!