The French national health insurance system (Assurance maladie) covers most of the medical costs. However, some health expenses may not be fully covered or not covered at all, depending on the treatment, medication, or hospitalization. To cover these costs, you can subscribe to a private complementary health insurance policy. This is not mandatory, but highly recommended to avoid unexpected costs and ensure optimal coverage.
To subscribe to a complementary health insurance policy, it is essential to be already affiliated with the Assurance maladie. The policy can be subscribed for the entire family, and the amount of the contribution may vary according to the coverage chosen, the age, and the health status of the subscriber.
Complementary health insurance policies offer a wide range of coverage, such as optical, dental care, and hearing aids, which are not covered by the national health insurance. The policy can also provide access to care without waiting lists or priority access to specialists. Furthermore, some policies may offer additional benefits such as wellness programs or telemedicine services.
The amount of coverage and the price of the policy depend on the level of coverage chosen by the subscriber. The subscriber can choose between different formulas ranging from basic to comprehensive coverage. The most comprehensive policies offer higher benefits and reimbursement rates but come with higher premiums.
The French government offers assistance to low-income earners to help them cover the cost of complementary health insurance. There are two main options: the Universal Complementary Health Coverage (CMU-C) and the Aid for Complementary Health Insurance (ACS). The CMU-C offers free complementary health insurance for individuals who have low incomes. The ACS offers a subsidy to help individuals pay for their complementary health insurance policy.