With the UK politics changing on a daily, nay hourly, basis, most of us are thinking ‘Brexit’ related thoughts, and worrying about Brexit related problems, even if we don’t particularly want to! I know from speaking to many people that medical cover is a major concern for lots of readers and members, so I thought it might be helpful to outline the current situation.
So what is going to happen to your medical cover after Brexit?
There are actually two different scenarios:
If you are already in France and affiliated to the French social security system (sécu) then nothing changes. Just like any other nationality such as Americans or South Africans, once you have accessed the system, you will be able to remain within it, unless of course, something in your personal situation changes and this affects your right to residency. If your circumstances don’t change you will retain your rights.
However, if you currently access the system free of charge thanks to the S1, things might change as affiliation to the sécu will then come at a cost; this is based on income but, if your income is low it won’t change as you will not be charged. For the self employed nothing changes as this group are already paying into the system.
For everyone else, things get a little more complicated! You will now be considered a foreign ‘non EU’ expat which means that you’ll need to have a carte de séjour (or equivalent) to stay in France. This means that you will need to have private medical insurance in place. These tend to be very expensive and ‘cherry on the cake’ British underwritten insurance policies will no longer be accepted, which means that you will have to opt for an expensive French full medical insurance policy. Most of these policies require subscribers to commit for a full calendar year. However, SF’s resident insurance guru @fabien has yet again, saved the day and can offer a policy which can be terminated as soon as you are accepted into the French system.
If you have any concerns, need to arrange health insurance or just feel that you could probably get a better deal with better cover than you currently have, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fabien who will be able to help.
To be even more accurate, the cost of PUMA for non EU citizen is 8% of your revenues that exceed 25% of the PASS (Plafond Annuel de la Sécurité Sociale). This year 25% of the PASS = 0,25 * 40.524€ = 10.131€. So basically, any penny you make above 10.131€ is (or will be) taxed 8% so that you can keep your rights to the social security.
The PASS stands for Plafond Annuel de la Sécurité Sociale, this year (2019) it’s 40.524 euros. There is one very important thing to keep in mind it’s that S1 (when accepted) is supposed to have converted your British rights into French ones so if nothing changes, people that were already accepted shouldn’t be bothered and then should keep their sécu for free. The issue will arise only if they decide to write off that agreement (and actually back cancel it). From where I stand I think that existing S1 pensioners should be fine toward the French sécu and that nothing should change for them/you.
Of course, my next question could well be… will France make up our Pensions to that magic amount ??? (only kidding)
I know full well that what we’ve got is IT and have no problems for the foreseeable future. We will manage just as our folks had to all those years ago if times were hard.
If Healthcare is covered - that will be a major worry put to rest.
I had a three minute consultation with my MT on Tuesday afternoon the purpose of which was to renew my prescription for medicine (one item). The fee was (as always) €25.
Peter, every so often I get (or did get) a paper from CPAM outlining every payment made within a period and showing what had been held back. Do you get something like this ? I know that there is a standard sum withheld on each occasion (up to a ceiling) 1 or 2 euro per time (not sure, someone will know) and this is clearly stated on the paperwork.
Actually, I 've just checked my Ameli.fr account. CPAM pay 70% of 25 euro, but deduct 1 euro from the sum before sending it to me.
Can you check your own Ameli.fr account - quite easy to set one up if not.
If your Doctor has been registered as your family Doctor, you will save the 1 €. Your Doctor can do the registration using your Vital card or write to CPAM and inform them yourself.
Hi Gitte… Not sure that your info is correct, since we only use our chosen/nominated doctor (with all the forms completed right at the start) for the regular checks/prescriptions - yet the 1euro is always held back.
Our Chosen/Nominated (whatever) Medecin Traitant then sends us to see other Specialists, if and when necessary.
However, if we used a Non-nominated Medecin Traitant, Securite Sociale would only refund 30% (not 70%) of the 25 euro and still withhold the standard 1 euro.
At last it has been admitted. After Oct 31 S1 pensioners will have to pay In the UK.
“As you are not a resident in the UK, you would not be able to access hospital services within England on the NHS, you would be charged for this service.”
Contactus NHS
I would have thought that if the UK maintains the reciprocal arrangements after Brexit that those with an EHIC will still get free emergency treatment, it would be absurd for S1 holders to have to pay in the UK but not in France (for example).
Richard, Connectus appears to be a Private Health Care company… which does not apply to me.
The NHS’ own website says this:
"If you are living in France before exit day, you may use NHS services in England, Scotland and Wales without charge when visiting the UK after exit day if you:
have a UK-issued S1 form
have a UK-issued EHIC
would have been eligible for the UK to fund your healthcare access, if exit day had not occurred
This will remain the case after exit day.
…
You should not expect to be able to use NHS services for free when visiting the UK if you are living in France and are not currently eligible for a UK-issued S1 form or EHIC. You should take out appropriate travel insurance when visiting the UK, as you would when visiting any other country.
If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test you will be able to access NHS care without charge. "
I read this to mean that I, as a holder of S1 and EHIC card issued by UK… will continue to be covered in UK after exit day as I am today.
). So it’s 40k indeed 
