Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
#1
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Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Hi
I hope someone has experience/expertise & can guide me a little. I live in the Caribbean so feel a little stranded, we are British & my Dad has lived in France for nigh on a decade. He has been a British taxpayer and served in the forces so has paid his due into the NHS. He lives near Carcassonne and been taken into hospital there, then onto a hospital in Toulouse (doesn't look good at the moment). The hospital finance department at Carcassone hospital have been on asking many a question about his pension etc. Chances are knowing my Dad his EHIC has long expired. My understanding is that my Dad's health care should be covered under an agreement as part of the European Union by the British government or NHS? Should a French hospital be contacting the family to ensure method of payment or is there not a European system/procedure they can follow to recover the cost back from the UK? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Tony
I hope someone has experience/expertise & can guide me a little. I live in the Caribbean so feel a little stranded, we are British & my Dad has lived in France for nigh on a decade. He has been a British taxpayer and served in the forces so has paid his due into the NHS. He lives near Carcassonne and been taken into hospital there, then onto a hospital in Toulouse (doesn't look good at the moment). The hospital finance department at Carcassone hospital have been on asking many a question about his pension etc. Chances are knowing my Dad his EHIC has long expired. My understanding is that my Dad's health care should be covered under an agreement as part of the European Union by the British government or NHS? Should a French hospital be contacting the family to ensure method of payment or is there not a European system/procedure they can follow to recover the cost back from the UK? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Tony
#2
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
How old is your father? Has he worked at all in France? Is he receiving a State pension from the UK?
#4
Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
If your father is no longer resident in the UK then even a valid EHIC won't be of any use. In order to be covered in France as a UK pensioner he should have completed Form S1.
#5
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
If he is ex forces contact SSAFA (France) for advice. 05 53 24 92 38.
#6
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Does he receive a UK State pension (not his military one)?
As it's usually a UK State Pension which qualifies you for reciprocal arrangements between EU countries, (ie. you are a pensioner) I'm thinking that, unless he has paid into some French health system during his 10 years there, he might not get automatic treatment in France.
Hence why the billing department of the hospital is involved.
#7
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Ah OK - He doesn't receive a state pension until age 65. So this S1 form - can this be completed retrospectively? I appreciate the help & response by the way
#8
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Thanks for any light you can shed on the subject.
#9
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Your dad sounds as though he was an early retiree in France i.e did not work but lived on his military pension.
If this is the case then, I think, he should have either taken out some private health insurance or paid into the French public system. (PUMA)
https://www.expatica.com/fr/healthca...enchHealthcare
https://www.frenchentree.com/living-...ing-to-france/
Last edited by SanDiegogirl; Feb 6th 2018 at 11:25 pm.
#10
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Hmmmm - doesn't sound good. Might have to find a work around, thanks guys. All great information
#12
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
Not sure tbh - He's of the school whereby you don't go the the quacks unless you're dragged there. I know he did access the healthcare system a year and a half back due to a fall (twisted up ankle) and has done for another fall (bruised back bones). I assumed it had been dealt with by the hospital who had claimed off the NHS but appears I am woefully ignorant to the ways of French Healthcare for European citizens.
#13
Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
You'll need your S1 in order to get your carte vitale. You can obtain your S1 before you move however.
#14
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
An illustration of what can happen to those who do not make provision for Healthcare. I hope he gets treatment but let this post show the way to others who neglect this aspect of live away from the NHS.
Last edited by scot47; Feb 7th 2018 at 12:37 am.
#15
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Re: Dad in hospital in France/ Advice needed
To be fair he has paid his dues already for health care within Europe & is living within the European Union. He is getting treatment at least though.