French Health insurance system

Hello, I believe you just need to have a residential address, a rental agreement, some bills proving you live there, and a French bank account in order to acquire the national health insurance.
There are many different types of visas, talent, student, work or retiree visa. Take a look here maybe? I’m not affiliated at all with the website.

[link moderated]#types

Hi,

have you already read the expat.com france expat guide ?

it will surely help

Thank you!

You are right... I'm seeing it now for the first time... thank you!

If you are from the US.
Yes, you can get service but it is not easy or free. Your Long Stay Visa application required you have private insurance. Emergency Services will take you with a problem. After you explain to the hospital and they will tell you they do not know how much it is and will bill you. Or if it is on the stock price list you can pay on the spot. Then you would send the bills to your French insurance company generally, near the end of your Visa time.
If you are a French Expat you must wait 6 months to apply and 3 months for a temporary number. Then if all goes well, 3 months later you will get your card and real number.

Have you had your OFII meeting Yet?

You apply to the Local Social Security Office on the internet Google     Cerfa 15763 02 

then go to  https://www.service-public.fr/particuli … its/R45084    it is better than it was 1 yr ago.  But the form is the same.

You can fill out the form attach all the Document Copies printed on A4 paper with no staples. Mail or Deliver them to the SS office dropbox. You will hear nothing for 2 months and 2 weeks so make it complete.  You must have a Bank account in your name from a real French Bank and that for me took having my Carte Sejour which took 3 yrs.

https://www.ameli.fr/assure/adresses-et-contacts  may help.  I have the number but I am locked out.
Not having an IBAN from a real Fench Bank in my name only. Cost me 3 months more.

Covid had everything closed.

John

Thank you… good information!

I am happy if it helped

Would you mind telling me what private insurance company you used for the requirement when applying for a one year visa?  I am in the middle of collecting all the documents they want for the visa but have to find an insurance company. The ones I have found so far have astronomical monthly premiums.

Kind regards,
James

Hi James,

This one worked for us. For my, Long Stay Visa 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
When I filed for the visa and at the interview. They looked at the contract. OFII asked for it when I checked in and paid my stamps before 90 Days. It has to be explained to anyone in Health Care. You pay the bill and the company will send you a check when you submit the bills per the contract.   I never needed to make a claim. But all the contacts were done by email, they are in Paris. When the 20 & 21 Covid mess my spring flight was canceled. I wrote ACS and asked to move my start date and they agreed with no problems So I was able to go 6 months later and then again when I was waiting for my extension of stay they allow me to extend. You just have to tell them what you are doing before the date that is on the contract. I sign up for the Policy right after I buy my flight tickets.  Depending on age and needs they have choices. My Policy was for 80% coverage of medical expenses up to a Total of (9000.00 Euro) and includes Medical Evacuation back home if needed. But I have had Medical Evacuation Insurance with the Good Sam Club Travel Insurance  for years. So the whole 9000.00 was available for Med.

https://www.acs-ami.com/en/travel-insur … nce-efenp/

Hi,

In the wake of Brexit they've tightened the rules a bit and most plans are no longer working or they have shifted to the highest possible end of the premium. BUPA for example is an excellent insurance company but they have copay on their contract which makes them useless for VISA applications for example. I work for an insurance broker in France and we've seen quite a massive shift in the market since mid 2021 and the new "rules". Very few companies are still compliant and the ones that are became super expensive. We do offer such policies of course but companies like April (with their MSI plan for example) or Foyer Global also provide compliant policies although the premium are quite different if compared to pre-Brexit requirements for VISA or residency. Hope this is helpful?

Hello Fabien,
Thank you for the information on the health insurance for the long term French visa and the current situation regarding applications.  This medical insurance search is quite overwhelming!  I have also contacted other companies for quotes.  I found an American company, Atlas International, that I will be talking with today.  Your information is greatly appreciated.

James W.

Thanks, careful with foreign insurance policies. French consulates & embassies tend to prefer policies from within the EU (France if possible). You can get in touch with us directly on our website if you'd like and you can speak on the phone to better explain everything in details but if you shop around I would rather advise you stick to French insurance companies.

fabienffi

That really does not work. Only if you are an immigrant or a returning French Expat. So you have to look at your Longstay Visa, if it is for tourism you will not be able to get Social Security.  You will not be refused health care in an emergency but you will get a bill. The prices are Posted, and the extras added after are small. And if you are really immigrating it will take 3 more months at least for the paperwork or more. If you have not been to OFII for an interview you will have to return to the U.S. and apply for a Visa again. If you are not married to a French person you need an employer to need you to come from the US to work for them. Since you are here you can find an employer.   

https://franceconnect.gouv.fr/https://franceconnect.gouv.fr/faq#CONTACThttps://frenchconnectionshcb.com/health … quEALw_wcB


I am Married to a French Expat and we are now American Expats in France. And I was not able to apply for Healthcare until I had received my Carte Sejour and my own bank account in my name only in an approved bank. And you need a French Social Security number before you can apply. But you get a Social Security number by paying income taxes. So you will need a Job for an Income. It is a circle.
I would need to know more than I do now to help more.
But the websites can help some to see a path maybe. You have to work at figuring this out. Study work relationships between boss and worker in France do not work the same way as in the U.S.

John

100% agree with this

Would you please give me that website again. Thanks.

fabienffi wrote:

Thanks, careful with foreign insurance policies. French consulates & embassies tend to prefer policies from within the EU (France if possible). You can get in touch with us directly on our website if you'd like and you can speak on the phone to better explain everything in details but if you shop around I would rather advise you stick to French insurance companies.

Fabien,
Can you provide a telephone number for your company to contact a rep to discuss various policies?
—James

Hi James, sure, you can reach us on the +33 (0)5 35 65 50 50. You should land with Marianne our in-house expert for VISA/residency insurance.

fabienffi wrote:

Hi James, sure, you can reach us on the +33 (0)5 35 65 50 50. You should land with Marianne our in-house expert for VISA/residency insurance.

Do you have an email address  for Marianne?
—James

Fabian,
Thank you for the insurance referral information.  I spoke with Marianne today and she was delightful!  She did provide me with much information useful in choosing an insurance plan that meets the requirements for a long-term French visa.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
—James in Pittsburgh

Thanks a lot, much appreciated!