Healthcare Update November 27, 2007

Early-retiree British expats can remain in the French healthcare system, it has been revealed to The Connexion.

The ban on early retiree affiliation – even by payment – will not be applied retrospectively but will still apply to newcomers to France. Ophélie Rota, spokeswoman for the French Health Ministry, said explanatory circulars were being sent out to local state health insurance bodies (CPAMs) this week. Once the circulars have been received new applications by “inactive” expats would be rejected. Those already affiliated to the French health system through the CMU regime will be allowed to remain in it. Social security spokeswoman Stéphanie Gaillard told The Connexion that the circulars had been sent to a central body for distribution to the CPAMs on November 23.

The Connexion suggests that readers do not press their CPAMs for information until next week to allow time for staff to be adequately briefed and therefore able to advise correctly. If you visit too early workers may not been aware of the reversal.

Ms Gaillard said the position had been reached after weeks of talks between the French health ministry and the British Embassy in Paris. The announcement followed the publication on the internet, at the end of summer, of a government document stating that inactive expats in the CMU would lose their affiliation at the end of March, 2008, and must then take out private insurance instead. The Connexion is not, at this stage, aware of any concessions for those with E106 forms but we are still waiting to see the full contents of the circular. Full details will be given on this site as soon as they are made available to us.

The “five-year rule” will still apply for newcomers to France. It does not apply to those already in the French system as the ban is not being applied retrospectively. New arrivals can join the CMU after being in France for five years. Those currently covered by E106 forms, will also be subject to the five-year rule until or unless they have reached UK state retirement age and can access French healthcare via an E121 form. The promised circular may clarify this further.

See the earlier update in the archive pages for more information about how to prove your five-year residency.