The cost of top-up health insurance schemes in France has risen by 2% so far this year, a new report has found, prompting people to search for better deals.
A study by comparison website LeLynx.fr for TF1 - reported on May 21 - found that mutuelle top-up insurance premiums have increased by 2% since the beginning of the year on average, having increased by 6% in 2024.
The cost of mutuelle top-up health insurance has been rising steadily for several years in France, particularly for people over 60.
Read more: Top-up health insurance increasingly expensive for over-60s in France
What is a mutuelle?
Mutuelle health insurance is the “top-up” insurance that is taken out by people who receive healthcare reimbursement in France, to pay for the costs that are not covered by the government. It is not mandatory but more than 90% of those who qualify for Assurance Maladie are estimated to have it.
For example, a visit to the GP is reimbursed by 70%, (after a €1 ‘franchise’ deduction), with the remaining cost payable by the patient or by a mutuelle ‘top-up’ policy.
Other regular extra costs might include, for example, hospital fees of €20 (to cover accommodation and laundry for hospital stays, which are not covered by the state) or extra costs for medication that is only covered up to a certain amount (e.g. 80%, with the rest payable by the patient).
Read more: How do hospital fees work in France?
Medical transport may only be covered up to 55%, while glasses are potentially only 60% reimbursable depending on the frames and lenses.
Technically, top-ups can be either a mutuelle or a complémentaire santé. A mutuelle is provided by a non-profit organisation and is a scheme run for its members, while a complémentaire is a policy from a commercial insurance company.
The term mutuelle is widely used for both kinds of policies, even when not technically correct.
Read more: How hospital charges work in France and what is and is not covered by the state
Working people may have these costs covered by their employer, but around 50% of people in France do not have employer-provided plans; for example, if they are retired, self-employed, or unemployed.
Economist Nathalie Coutinet, told TF1 that a major cause of the rise is due to “the increase in the cost of medical consultations, which has risen to €30, but also the introduction of a longer consultation at €60 for elderly people, who are therefore turning [more] to mutuelles”.
Age and regional disparities
In absolute terms, the average annual cost is €979, according to data from consumer protection group UFC-Que Choisir.
However, the exact amount and price increases will vary considerably depending on where you live, your medical conditions, and your age.
An insured person aged 65 and over pays an average of €1,179 per year
This is almost three times more than the average of €413 paid by an adult aged 18-25
Read more: Health insurance in France: See average mutuelle cost for retirees after new rises
Similarly, where you live makes a difference. For example:
This is largely due to the difference in specialist availability and the frequency with which patients visit, said Arthur Martiano, CEO of comparison site LeLynx, to TF1.
He said: "If we take the example of the Ile-de-France region, there are more specialists, and extra fees are more common. In the south of France, the population is older and people visit specialists more regularly.
“Conversely, in Brittany, there is less use of healthcare services, less access to doctors and therefore lower contributions.”
The cost of your mutuelle will also depend on any existing health conditions, the extent of the coverage you would like, and any possible future anticipated costs, such as hospitalisation for an elderly patient, or pregnancy for a woman in her 30s.
Rising prices, particularly for older people, are prompting some to search for cheaper plans, and switch their contracts.
One woman, Virginie, told TF1 that she has been searching for a new option for her mother, whose bill has increased by €20, and is likely to increase further soon.
“My mother realises that it is going up regularly and the cover isn't increasing, in fact some benefits are actually decreasing,” she said. “She would like to either change her mutuelle insurance company to pay less, or get better reimbursement.”
Insurance policies in France allow those who are signed up to a plan to change their policy at any time, for any reason, after 12 months.
How to find the best top-up mutuelle deals
Comparison websites - such as LeLynx or LeComparateurAssurance - can be a good place to start when it comes to searching for better insurance deals, including for top-up mutuelle plans.
In addition, many French towns and villages offer collective top-up health insurance for local residents at an affordable price. These are intended to offer one policy that covers many people, and enable the commune to negotiate a better rate than buying a single policy.
Read also: Tip to find affordable top-up health insurance in France
Read more: How to save money on mutuelle cover in France
Read also: Seven points to consider when choosing top-up health insurance in France
These mutuelles communales, sometimes also referred to as a mutuelle de village or mutuelle locale, range in size from covering a small commune all the way up to a large city such as Bordeaux.
Currently around 2,800 areas offer this scheme. To find out if there is one available where you live, contact the mairie or the Centre Communal d'Action Sociale (CCAS) often found in larger communes. You can search online to find details of your nearest CCAS.
There are also a number of companies and associations offering these types of mutuelles, and some of them list the communes they serve. Examples include Groupement Solidarité Santé, MCRN and Mutuelle Just.
Each commune chooses where to buy its group policy, selecting from a range of insurance companies including AXA and Groupama.
If you already have a mutuelle, you should be able to switch to a mutuelle communale, provided you have been with your current provider for at least a year. If not, you can switch or cancel if your circumstances have changed, such as moving house or getting married.
Note communal plans may not include any specific health needs that you have or would like to have covered.
Retirees, jobseekers or others on low incomes can benefit from a state-subsidised mutuelle, La Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, which limits the cost of top-up insurance to:
Under age 29: €96 per year (€8 per month)
Age 30-49: €168 per year (€14 per month)
Age 50-59: €252 per year (€21 per month)
Age 60-69: €300 per year (€25 per month)
Age 70+: €360 per year (€30 per month)
To check your eligibility, visit the government’s CSS website here.
