IFP Forums

[Addie]

I've just seen this http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.securite-sociale.fr%2Fcomprendre%2Feurope%2Feurope%2Fq_r_cmu_inactifs.htm&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Maybe helpful for some people.

[Reckless Rat]

There's a better translation available here:

http://www.connexionfrance.com/expatriate-news-article.php?art=67

I just wonder how long it will take my local CPAM to retract the letter they sent me a couple of weeks ago, and whether anyone will apologise for the worry & upset that they've caused. Fortunately I can remain in the CMU for two reasons - 1, because I'm already contributing and 2, because I've been here for more than 5 years.

I feel sorry for those of you who are on a E106 and who weren't in the system on the 23rd November. I hope you manage to get things sorted.

[Ed.]

We have posted our own initial information and commentary on the new circular at:

http://www.french-property.com/newsletter/2007/12/14/

It is clear that the French Government have yielded to some of the pressure placed upon them to minimise the impact of this new law on those already in France, and to make provision for those, now or in the future, who are unable to get private health insurance.

However, the law remains discriminatory and unnecessary. What an extraordinary state of affairs that those from outside of the EU now have stronger rights to the French health system than EU citizens!

Contrary to a great deal of misinformed press comment, affiliation to the French State health insurance system for early retirees is contributory; it is not free. There is no reason on earth why the French Government had to change the rules to comply with European Directives.

The French local health authorities fought a rearguard against this law because they believed it to be illegal. They succeeded in removing the planned use of the AME (L’Aide Médicale de l’Etat) as the principal replacement for the CMU for those unable to get private health insurance.

However, they may well have now been served a poisoned chalice, for the Government have given them no clear guidance as to how to handle individual applications for affiliation to the CMU.

Accordingly, the fight against this new law now needs to move from the political arena to the CPAM appeal panels, and the French courts, where coordinated and well-informed action holds out the prospect that this disgraceful law can still be buried.

[philip17]

Don't push your luck for an apology, after all this is France. Just be thankful that you can still benefit from the CMU.

[Reckless Rat]

Philip, that remains to be seen. I´m still waiting for confirmation.

[Bernie Ainsley]

Hi Everyone
I was very interested to read Bobd's posting saying that he has approached his GP regarding the situation with being booted out of the system on 31/3/08! We too have had the same letter and I am already covered 100% due to Breast Cancer in July 2005 & just had a Hysterectomy in November due to finding pre-cancerous cells!
We have also lived in France since Sept 2001 and have been paying into the health system. ALL THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID WILL MAKE US ELIGIBLE FOR COVER...BUT HASN'T!!!!

We too do not understand why we hAve been kicked out of the system. We have written to the CPAM and had a FURTHER letter reiterating the situation that we will not be covered after 31/3/08 but all they can tell us is:
"They are waiting for further directions from the Ministry regarding the communication 2004/38 of 29 April 2004"

We live in La Vienne (86) and would be interested to know if anyone else in our Department has also had the same problems, but more importantly have had contrary information to this!!
We are wondering if it is infact because I am 100% that we are being precluded.... a drain on the system??? Human Rights issue surely!!!

Until now we have been very pro the French, speak the language relatively well, have paid our taxes and never asked for a penny in unemployment benefits at a time when we could have due to my husband having to look after me during my illness.

What worries us is this could be the beginning of a concerted policy against UK/EU members, as they think we have MONEY to burn and are coming to their country for Freebies!!!! (A few may be but certainly not most.)

Which other Departments have rolled this out in the same way???

Bernie86.

[RichardT]

My wife and I are “inactive, ex-pats” whose E106s expired on 5th January. It was therefore great news to read the British Embassy announcement today that we are now eligible to affiliate to the CMU and continue our cover under the French Health system. I would like to thank French Health Issues (FHI) for the wonderful lobbying work they have carried out during the last few months.

Although the outcome is satisfactory, I must emphasise that the uncertainty caused by the way that the French authorities have botched the implementation of the changes has been intolerable. Being good citizens, we acted on the published regulations and took out private health care to start this month when our E106 cover ended. We went to CPAM last week for a final check and they confirmed that this is what we had to do. Our Cartes Vitale were cancelled and handed back. We also cancelled our Complementary Top–up Insurance.

As soon as I saw today’s announcement, I sent a letter to our Private Insurer. There is a 14 day cooling-off period in the policy and I am hoping that we are in time to cancel without penalty. Otherwise we may be committed to 12 months costs (€6000).

I guess we will have to wait another couple of weeks for the message about the new "final" rules to get to our local CPAM. It is then going to be a matter of filling in CMU application forms and getting our Cartes Vitale re-issued. Remembering how long it took to get them first time round, I am not going to be holding my breath. After that, we will have to re-start our Complementary Insurance.

Sorry for the big moan, but I am more than a bit frustrated at all the effort, cost and administration that has gone into fixing something that wasn’t broken in the first place.