For many expatriates, understanding the French healthcare system presents numerous challenges. A common misconception among expats in France is that the state healthcare coverage, accessed via the “carte vitale,” is all-encompassing, leaving no need for additional insurance. However, that opinion is shared by only 5% of French people! 95% of French nationals opt for a “mutuelle”, a complementary or “top-up” private health insurance while the French Social Security system provides substantial coverage, it does not cover medical costs at 100%, often leaving individuals with significant out-of-pocket expenses. That’s where a “mutuelle” or “top-up” plan comes in.
What is the “Carte Vitale”?
The “Carte Vitale” is an essential component of the French healthcare system, designed to simplify administrative processes and facilitate access to healthcare services for residents of France. It’s a smart card that contains the holder’s administrative details, including their name, date of birth, and social security number. This card is your passport to the French healthcare system, known as “l’Assurance Maladie”. It offers substantial coverage for a range of medical services. However, it doesn’t fully cover every medical expense, often leaving a portion for you to pay out-of-pocket. “Mutuelle” insurance is designed to cover these remaining costs.
What Is a “Mutuelle” and do you really need one?
A “mutuelle” is supplemental health insurance in France that improves the coverage provided by the Social Security system. It covers an additional portion of medical expenses, up to 100% of actual expenses, depending on the policy terms. This is especially useful for costs related to dental, optical, and specialist care, which are often expensive and only partially reimbursed by the state. They are also very useful for reducing out-of-pocket costs for hospitalizations. Although not legally required, having a “mutuelle” is strongly recommended to minimize out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, ensuring comprehensive health security in France. Among French people, it would be unthinkable to go without a mutuelle. Among the 5% who do not have one, financial difficulties are the most commonly cited reason for abstaining – in brief, it’s not really their choice.
How to understand your quote (“Devis”) for a “Mutuelle”
Understanding your “mutuelle” quote means knowing how much it will pay for your medical bills. When you see “100% reimbursement” on the quote, it means it covers 100% of the cost set by Social Security, not the entire bill. If it says “200% reimbursement,” it pays double the Social Security rate, covering more of your expenses, especially when Social Security pays little.
Reimbursements are often shown as a percentage of the Social Security base rate for a medical service. But remember, “100% reimbursement” only covers the standard cost set by Social Security, not any extra fees charged by the doctor.
For example, if you go to a doctor who charges €50, and Social Security’s base rate for the visit is €23 (of which it pays 70%), with 100% coverage, your mutuelle would cover the remaining 30% of the base rate, not the extra €27 the doctor charges. You would need to pay that €27.
However, with a 200% coverage plan, your mutuelle would cover double the base rate, meaning your mutual insurance will pay you the sum of €33.9.
How do you get reimbursed from “Securité Sociale”?
It is very important to understand the reimbursement process of Social Security:
Initially, Social Security reimburses you at a standard rate, a figure established through agreements between healthcare providers and the Health Insurance, then, your “mutuelle” steps in to cover an extra portion—sometimes up to the full amount you’re responsible for paying.
The reimbursement terms for doctors vary by their sector of activity, categorized as follows:
- Sector 1 contracted doctors are reimbursed at a rate agreed with social security.
- Sector 2 contracted doctors are reimbursed at a rate below that of sector 1, with the freedom to set their own fees, leading to a potentially higher price.
- Optam-affiliated doctors are reimbursed at the standard rate plus potential extra charges.
- Non-contracted doctors set their own fees without regulation, but Health Insurance reimburses at a significantly lower rate than for contracted doctors in sectors 1 and 2.
How is a top-up different from a mutuelle?
A top-up insurance, often referred to in the context of French healthcare, is a supplementary health insurance policy that covers the portion of healthcare costs not reimbursed by the primary health insurance.
In theory, it is very similar to a mutuelle. The difference is in the implementation. A French “mutuelle” is linked with your Carte Vitale. You do not need to submit your claims by hand – it’s done automatically in most cases. Reimbursement rates are linked to a percentage of the “standard cost”. Mutuelles are managed in French.
In contrast, a “top-up” plan is not automatically linked to your carte vitale. You will need to request claims via your user space. The plan would be managed in English with Mondassur. Reimbursements are not linked to a percentage of the “standard cost” – rather, they are linked to set limits and sub-limits, in some cases going up to 100% of actual costs. As such, our “top up” plans provide more comprehensive coverage than a mutuelle.
Do I need a Top-Up insurance as an expat in France ?
As medical costs in France are not excessively high, the value of top-up insurance might be questioned by some expats who are accustomed to paying significant out-of-pocket costs. This skepticism often stems from a lack of understanding of potential out-of-pocket expenses for treatments that are not fully covered by social security. Top-up insurance becomes particularly valuable in several scenarios:
- High-Cost Treatments: For expensive treatments such as dental prostheses, orthodontics, or certain eye care services, the state’s reimbursement might cover as little as 30% of the cost.
- Hospitalization: While basic hospitalization costs are mostly covered, additional fees for private rooms, special treatments, or extended stays can accumulate quickly.
- Routine Care: Even for routine visits to specialists or for prescription glasses, the costs can exceed state reimbursements.
A practical consideration for English-speaking expatriates is the language in which insurance matters are managed. While traditional “mutuelles” are typically administered in French, certain top-up plans such as Gold France top-up are designed with expatriates in mind, providing services not only in English but in multiple languages. This distinction is crucial for those who may not be fluent in French, as it ensures easier access to information, claims processing, and customer service.
