Healthcare in France
Rated as the best in the world by the World Health Organisation (WHO), healthcare in France is funded by public insurance, known as Sécurité Sociale. This system provides universal healthcare, and is funded on tax contributions from salary deductions.
In order to qualify for coverage under this umbrella, expats must obtain a European Health Insurance Card(EHIC) and a residency permit. Without access to this insurance, persons who arrive from outside the EU will find medical costs can be prohibitive. For expats who are still waiting for a residency permit, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private mutual funds in the interim.
The state covers 70 % of the cost of treatment, and there are a number of private mutual funds that cover the remaining 30 %. For treatment of serious disease, for example heart surgery, bowel cancer, or diabetes, the state will cover 100 % of costs, including medication and hospitalization. The more serious an illness, the less a patient has to pay.
The choice of doctor is left up to the patient, but going to the same doctor will assure higher compensation for social security. It is important to remember that a referral must be gained before a specialist is consulted, or the state will lower its lever of contribution. Certain professionals, such as psychiatrists and dentists, are the exceptions to this rule.
It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and are only later are patients reimbursed.
In order to qualify for coverage under this umbrella, expats must obtain a European Health Insurance Card(EHIC) and a residency permit. Without access to this insurance, persons who arrive from outside the EU will find medical costs can be prohibitive. For expats who are still waiting for a residency permit, the best advice would be to sign up with one of the private mutual funds in the interim.
The state covers 70 % of the cost of treatment, and there are a number of private mutual funds that cover the remaining 30 %. For treatment of serious disease, for example heart surgery, bowel cancer, or diabetes, the state will cover 100 % of costs, including medication and hospitalization. The more serious an illness, the less a patient has to pay.
The choice of doctor is left up to the patient, but going to the same doctor will assure higher compensation for social security. It is important to remember that a referral must be gained before a specialist is consulted, or the state will lower its lever of contribution. Certain professionals, such as psychiatrists and dentists, are the exceptions to this rule.
It is worth noting that for some appointments payment is upfront and are only later are patients reimbursed.
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