Do we need to get a mutuelle?

DO BRITONS in France need a “top-up” mutuelle policy? I know people who had serious illnesses and everything was paid for, even though they had none. Also, who pays for our healthcare: France or the UK? B.H

Britons in France have the same “need” for top-up health insurance as French people. If you are relatively young and healthy, you might want to risk not having one, but in general it is advisable, as many procedures do not attract a full reimbursement of the cost to yourself. Top-up policies vary in cost and in what they include, with some cheaper ones focussing mainly on hospital stays.

However treatment for certain long-term, serious illnesses (affections de longue durée) is covered 100 per cent by the state.

Britons in France may have their healthcare paid for by France if they work or have worked here, or if they are in the CMU system. People with a British state pension or on British long-term incapacity benefit are covered by the UK.

I AM a British state pensioner living in France and my EHIC [the former E111 form, for mutual cover in European countries when travelling] has expired. I want to renew it but neither my CPAM [state health insurance body] nor the health authority in Oxford, where my husband is resident, could help me renew it. A.P.

Since May 1, British state pensioners (who get their French healthcare paid for by Britain via E121 forms) have to have EHICs issued by the UK. These continue to be needed by French-resident people to access NHS care on visits to the UK, as for care in any other EU country in which they are not resident. For advice call 0044 191 2181 999 and select option one, or visit: http://tinyurl.com/EHIC-change