€1,200 better off thanks to article

FOR some years I have needed tooth crowns and while on holiday last June, we crossed the border into Hungary, staying in the small town of Fertöd. Recalling that Hungary is an important and respected dental tourism destination we decided to go to a local surgery for a free quotation for the crowns.

A dentist gave me a detailed check-up and decided I needed 11 crowns. All the work came to €2,500. We were impressed and came away to think it over – knowing that in France, the cost could be up to €1,000 per crown if (like me), you do not have a mutuelle.

We booked two appointments and decided to make a holiday of it, visiting Budapest and other places. The whole procedure went well and we returned satisfied (we paid cash, but got the paperwork specifying the work done and each component’s cost – and a three-year guarantee).

After that, we saw your article on dental tourism (www.tinyurl.com/healthtourism), and although I had not made any contacts with my local Cpam before leaving for the treatment, as advised by your article, we thought nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We called them and received a form for medical treatment when abroad, filled it in and sent copies of the documentation. We were optimistic that at least €75 per crown might be paid to us.

In fact, 70% of five different parts of the invoice were paid – a total of almost €1,200 of the €2,500 it cost me over there for the work (not including the holiday costs) – an unexpected boost to my bank balance.

The moral of this story is ask for the form and send it in, even after the treatment and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Thank you, The Connexion, for giving us the advice that led to our saving.

Martin REDSHAW
Pyrénées-Orientales