Willowlady

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and looking forward to learning lots before I make the big decision of moving to France.

The main concern I have at the moment is a ballpark figure of how much private health insurance would cost for my husband and I.

I have scoured the internet to gain some info but it has proved to be impossible.

We will both be early retirees (60) and so, from what I gather will not be eligible for French state assistance?

I'm sure there will be many different tiers to health cover and would like any feedback on the type of costs we should be preparing for.

many thanks!

dmu

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
You'd only need private healthcare insurance until you are accepted in the "PUMA" scheme after proof of 3 (?) months' residency (rental receipts, utility bills, etc...). Others will come along with more details of this.
And then, when you receive your UK State Pensions, you present the S1 form from DWP to your S.S. Caisse, and will have the same coverage as your average French person (70% of medical expenses reimbursed). Once you're in the System, it would be advisable at your age to take out a Mutuelle (top-up insurance) which reimburses the 30% that the French S.S. doesn't. There are several long-term ailments which are "free" (e.g. cancer, heart problems, diabetes, etc...), but there's never 100% reimbursement for spectacles and false teeth.
Sorry I can't help on the private health insurance front, others will come along to advise.

Willowlady

Thanks, DMU for the swift response!

I thought the S1 had been terminated...and any new expats would be required to purchase private health insurance(?)

I did look into setting up our own business to be able to access the health system through this door but have decided that this would not be viable due to the new requirements (income, etc).

We wouldn't be able to/choose to not draw down pensions for 7 years and are planning to have income from rental properties in the U.K.

So, private health health insurance would be for those 7 years - trying to calculate living costs for those 7 years...

Sooo much to work out...

dmu

The S1 is still around for UK State Pensioners. You apply for it from the DWP when your Pensions start.
I still think your private healthcare insurance will be limited to the period before you get into the PUMA scheme. If no one comes along with up to date details, there are some links in #13, 14 and 15 in the "Healthcare coverage" thread in the Read-Me: Moving to Frnce FAQs above, which might help.
In view of your age, a read of "Growing Old in France" in the same FAQs might also give you food for thought!

EuroTrash

Under the present rules, as long as you meet the criteria - minimum income (which is quite low), 3 months or more stable residence in France - you can apply to join the state healthcare system PUMA, and pay contributions based on a percentage of household income. Unless your income is mega this will probably work out cheaper than the full private monty.
I think you pay 8% of income over about 9 or 10k, based on the year before last's income. You'll find the details online if you google Protection Universelle Maladie or go to ameli.fr - La protection universelle maladie

But to answer your original question - private healthcare quotes will be based on your individual medical history so can vary from one person to another, plus if you have certain pre-existing conditions you may be refused. PUMA contributions are purely income based.

Willowlady

Thanks for the information!

I must say this has cheered me up a bit!

However, it does lead me to request further info....

Sooo...on average how much are you guys paying for your top up insurance (I know we' re all unique so I'll give or take..)?

(I've also been trawling through previous posts and have picked up lots of useful tips and food for the thought; as well as having a good old giggle- seems like I'll have to take note of all the characters on this forum)

EuroTrash

It's entirely up to you how much you pay. It's not obligatory so you don't have to pay anything. Or you can have hospital-only cover for maybe 30€ a month (that's a wild guess), or you can pay a bit more and have cover that pays you up to the "state tarif", so in theory if you can find providers that cap their fees at state tarifs you have 100% cover but that's not always possible; or you can pay up to three figures for all the bells and whistles, teeth eyes psychiatrists the lot, and have the peace of mind of knowing everything is covered.
It's just a case of shopping around and finding the best deal for the level of cover you want, at the ages you are.

(Psst. Don't tell anyone, but me, right now I'm winging it. I fell out with my insurers, cancelled everything and haven't set another mutuelle up yet, and am in two minds what to do next. I'm quite liking saving 55€ a month)

JWL

Is it not the previous year's income? Why would it be 2 years back? The previous year would seem more logical.

Tweedpipe

We did loads of research before choosing our Mutuelle. Certainly didn't want the cheapest we could find, or the most expensive, rather the best value for money. Finally opted for one that ticked all our boxes, and that came second from top in two of the most popular consumer magazines (60 Millions de Consommateurs, and Que Choisir).
That was nine years ago, and I note that during that period there has been a very modest premium increase of only 5€. We currently pay 196€/month, and covered for glasses - red or white wine, excellent dental cover, and to my surprise (when I needed it), a private hospital room.
Fwiw, I needed an mri scan for a knee problem last week; waiting time for the appointment was 2 weeks, and the specialist was available to discuss the result just 40mins after scan was performed, with DVD of images and written report handed to me at the same time for record purposes. Cost - zero! That of course was on presentation of my Carte Vital & Mutuelle cover-note.

Cad

Toh et moi have had a mutuality for over 15 years and pay roughly 2000 euro per year.
For this we get nearly a full topup cover, as said glasses and teeth are low but for our teeth cover the mutuality links a couple of years into one for major work as it's only done once.
A recent bad hernia op for me cost us zilch, saw dr on a friday,surgeon following Tuesday op on Wednesday home on Thursday. same for toh 5 hour of tests after an angina scare, luckily all negative. Price well worth it at our over 70s age for the peace of mind.

EuroTrash

It might be.
But I thought that, as an example: say you live in France already, and you joined PUMA this year, 2017. Your cotisations for 2017 will be based not on this year's declaration of 2016 income which you don't make until May, but on the final computation of last year's tax exercise when you declared your income during 2015. So in effect, two years. But I could be wrong.
Logic doesn't really come into it.

Tweedpipe

I certainly agree with that last comment! For France & Logic, think Chalk & Cheese.
Or watch this 2 minute clip as a perfect example:

And what about bicycles in Paris (and elsewhere) travelling down a one-way street the wrong way. In these contra-flow bicycle lanes they have the right of way! French logic that perhaps Inspector Clouseau may be able to explain...
And don't even mention 'priorité a droite'!

EuroTrash

Now I've had my caffeine fix, thinking about it again it does seem logical.
This year's cotisations are based on last year's income declaration, which is logical.
Last year's income declaration related to the previous year's income, which is also logical.
So in fact, it's double-logical. Does that make it extra logical, or is it like a double negative that turns it back into illogical?
Hmm. Need more caffeine to think that one through.

JWL

I was OK till your first logical...

Tweedpipe

Ask Inspector Clouseau, he'll know.
(I was ok until your George Clooney fix).