Do You Need Private Insurance or Does a Partner's Mutuelle Cover You as an international in France?

01/11/2024

What question prompted the creation of this post on 01/11/2024

Do I need private health insurance for the entire year, or can I simply provide proof that I am covered under my partner's mutuelle familiale through his French job? If private insurance is required, could you recommend providers and share information about their pricing?

Top Answer

• A Mutuelle is only valid if the individual has a French social security number and is registered in the French healthcare system. This depends if your partner has subscribed to the Mutuelle.

• Based on your description, it appears that your partner’s Mutuelle is only a top-up policy. This means you will need your health insurance. A Mutuelle can only function once someone is affiliated with the French social and health security system, which can take up to a year. During this initial period in France, you’ll need comprehensive private health insurance (PHI).

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As an international in France, the need for private insurance or coverage through a partner's mutuelle depends on several factors. Here's a comprehensive overview of the situation:

Public Health Insurance Coverage

France has a universal healthcare system that provides coverage to legal residents, including internationals who meet certain criteria:

• You become eligible for public health insurance (L'Assurance Maladie) after living in France for three consecutive months(1,2)

• If you're working in France, you may be immediately covered through your employer(1)

The public health insurance typically covers around 70% of GP costs and 80% of hospital visits(2). However, there's usually a co-pay that you're responsible for, which is where private insurance or a mutuelle comes in.

Private Insurance and Mutuelle

Need for Additional Coverage

While public health insurance provides significant coverage, many people in France opt for additional private insurance or a mutuelle for several reasons:

1. Co-pay coverage: Private insurance or a mutuelle can cover the remaining 10-40% of medical costs not covered by public insurance(1)

2. Additional services: Some treatments, like visits to psychiatrists, chiropractors, or osteopaths, are not covered by the public system(2)

3. Better reimbursement rates: For certain procedures, especially dental work, private insurance can provide higher reimbursement rates(2)

Partner's Mutuelle Coverage

If your partner has a mutuelle in France, you may be able to be covered under their policy. However, this depends on several factors:

1. Marital status: If you're married or in a civil partnership (PACS), you're more likely to be eligible for coverage under your partner's mutuelle.

2. Specific policy terms: Each mutuelle has its own rules regarding the coverage of dependents or partners. Some may allow coverage for partners, while others may require separate policies.

3. Residency status: Your eligibility may also depend on your legal residency status in France.

Recommendations

1. Check your eligibility: If you're planning to stay in France for more than three months, check if you're eligible for public health insurance(1)

2. Consider private insurance: Even if you're covered by public insurance, consider getting private insurance or a mutuelle to cover additional costs and services(1, 2)

3. Verify partner's policy: If your partner has a mutuelle, check with their provider to see if you can be added to their policy.

4. Assess your needs: Consider your specific health needs, budget, and the services offered by different insurance providers when choosing a plan(6)

5. Temporary coverage: If you're not immediately eligible for public insurance, ensure you have private coverage for the initial period of your stay in France(2)

Remember, health insurance is mandatory in France, so it's crucial to have some form of coverage, whether public, private or a combination of both