Although it sounds like it could be a Medical Marijuana Card, the magic green card in France is the Carte Vitale. Ray and I are now card-carrying members; I wish our friends in the US had a card like this…it’s life-changing. Really.
One of the requirements for obtaining a long-term visa is proof of private health insurance for a minimum of three months. When we met with the kind folks at VFS Global to begin the visa process, this was one of the first documents reviewed. And let me tell you; they examined the policy with a fine-tooth comb. Once you are approved for the visa, have registered, and lived in France for three months, you can apply for the Carte Vitale, which allows access to the French Healthcare System.
We’ve met people who have lived here for years and never applied for their Carte Vitale. Healthcare and prescriptions are much lower than what we are forced to pay in the US. Many choose to pay out of pocket. Example: Six medications for the two of us cost $45, and the pharmacist apologized for it being so expensive. When I told him that with our US insurance, our co-pays for the same medications came to hundreds, I thought he would pass out.
The Application Process
My mantra (but we live in France) was recited frequently when preparing our documents to send to CPAM. CPAM stands for Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie, which translates to Private Health Insurance Fund. Being in France, quite a few documents are required, and the easiest part was the application itself.
List of Documents—Two of each
Color copy of your passport signature page
Color copy of the passport page showing your entry into France
Color copy of your French visa from your passport
Birth certificate
A translated copy of your birth certificate by an authorized translator
Color copy of your marriage license
A translated copy of your marriage license
A divorce decree if you’re unmarried and your name doesn’t match your birth certificate. This must be translated as well.
Color copy of the (online) visa stamp and registration.
Your RIB (a printout of your bank information…account number, etc.)
Physician Form filled out by your Doctor.
A current copy of EDF Attestation Titulaire de Contract- this is your contact with the electric company.
Copy of your lease or deed to your property
We mailed the packet via LRAR (registered mail) on September 9th. I’ve learned to send everything LRAR within France. I received confirmation that our packet was in CPAM’s hands one week later.
The Paper Trail
I was warned that CPAM might request the same item twice, so it was no surprise when we both received a letter from them. They wanted Ray to send a copy of his passport pages and the Physician form.
Do you remember the post about my ‘stunning’ visa photo? Well, they requested another copy of my visa. Enough said.
We sent the envelope off the same day and waited to hear back. One week later, we received notification CPAM had received our envelope, and the following week we received the good news that we were accepted into the system. BIG YAY and much happy dancing.
We received temporary social security numbers that could be used when visiting a doctor, lab, dentist, etc.; the following week, we received the paperwork for our permanent cards. Of course, they needed a photo, so off we went to have pictures taken. Mine was the photo from hell that will be given to every healthcare practitioner I will ever see. Enough said.
After attaching our glamour shots to the form, we mailed them off. We knew it could take several months to receive our permanent cards, so I was shocked to find them in our mailbox when we arrived home from Switzerland. Ray received a 10-page letter regarding his Carte Vitale. If you’ve had a serious illness (cancer), any future tests, medications, etc., that have to do with that diagnosis are covered at 100 percent — nothing out of pocket.
How the card works—It’s a Brilliant System.
First of all, the card is free. Your medical information etc., is stored on the card. When you see your Dr., the card is inserted in what looks like a credit card reader. The Doctor adds notes to your file, you pay, and off you go. Let me give you an example. I had an appointment with a dermatologist to remove a small skin tag from my back. She’s a Specialist, so her fee was 30 euros. Remember, one of the documents was our RIB (banking information)? A few days later, CPAM transferred 20 euros into our checking account, so the appointment was 10 euros.
I had a dental appointment for a cleaning last week (that is another story!). The charge was 43.38 euros, and I was just reimbursed 30.36 euros, so my cleaning came to 13.02 euros! Astonishing!
I could go on and on, but I won’t. I wrote this post because so many people contacted me regarding our experience with French healthcare. I hope this is helpful.
Top-Up Insurance, AKA The Mutuelle
It’s optional to purchase top-up insurance to cover what the Carte Vitale doesn’t cover. We decided to take out a policy just in case. We haven’t used it, although our pharmacist insists that we will be using it when purchasing prescriptions. Our policy is 129 euros a month for the two of us. Not bad.
Is It Perfect?
Ask me that in a few years. Nothing is perfect, but it looks pretty darn close right now.
UPDATE: 02/05/2020— We filled six prescriptions yesterday, and between the Carte Vitale and our mutuelle, the cost was ZERO! Amazing.
***DISCLAIMER—This is our experience only. Your experience may differ.***
The Magic Green Card: Carte Vitale first appeared on Chasing The Next Chapter
I am so glad things are going well and it seems to be an easy go! The pharmacist is adorable and right, if you are paying the extra, use it for your meds. AND You are adorable! Love hearing how things are going and some day a visit is in order! Smooches!
Carmelita! Hi! Thank you for taking to time to read my post; I appreciate it.
France…So far, so good. Right now, I’m a bit crazed gathering paperwork for our upcoming visa renewal. The French do love their paperwork!
I would love for you to visit! You would like it here.
XXX
Wow, Barb, this is such good news and very encouraging!
With my previous blood cancer having progressed to Myelofibrosis now, it sounds like France would be a great place to live (and beautiful too!) with a serious illness. I do have great insurance, but I know a lot of people don’t. And who doesn’t like to save money??
It’s so fun reading about all aspects of your relocation to France, even the unromantic ones!
Becky ✌
Hi Becky,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Good gracious girl, you have been through an awful lot! For anyone with a serious illness, I believe this would be an excellent place to live. We had what we thought was great coverage in the US. I was just happy to have coverage. Period.
Right now, I am beginning to gather documents for renewing our visas. UGH! Throw in a side of US income tax and French income tax filing and any bit of romance is gone. Hehe.
Take good care.
XXX
Dearest Barb,
Wow, you got passed another big obstacle and put it behind you with flying colors. Even though, your speed in filling it out and sending it off, by far exceeded that of the return. Why in the world would they need a 2nd set of certain copies; did they eat the 1st one?!
Never mind, you’re in. Hoping that the waiting list is not like that in The Netherlands what I know from relatives and friends, for a specialist I mean. Yes, here in the US drugs (for health!) are extremely expensive. We can attest to that with an amount for Pieter’s heart issues that we NEVER would have imagined paying. But my Mantra is: BUT WE’RE STILL ALIVE… Even if it hits you enormous, one always have to stay positive and look forward to the next day. Pieter even says: Yeah, but you have to realize that a funeral is also expensive… Joking about the alternative. Life is precious and we live for the little moments that shine and that come our way. Be it in travel, a short trip, some flowers, dining or conversing with dear friends. Whatever.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Hi Marriette,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. You always brighten my day.
I am so glad to have the Carte Vitale behind us. Whew…that was a biggie! I don’t know what they do with documents, but everyone has a tale of lost papers. I make extra to cover, just in case.
So far, it has been easy to see specialists. For an emergency, it is the same day. Thank God, we haven’t had any of those. My derm appt wait was one week, the dentist was 2 weeks. Not bad.
Pieter is right, but we won’t talk about funerals. I like your Mantra! Life is short, try to enjoy every moment.
Love and hugs to both of you.
XXX
xoxo
Sending it right back.
got past of course… haha! We managed this very burden in Italy at the time.
It’s daunting!
XXX
Çan i just say merci for this valuable info and merci France for not penalizing one for a pre existing condition Seriously did I read that right covered at 100 % I will go back and take some notes of all the needed documents
Feeling the Inching closer so I too can say, but we live in France
Thanks again lovely
Now how are you doing not being a fluent French speaker,? curious mind or at least my mind wants to know about that challenge
Bonne soir ou bonne journée
Xoxo
Hi Dianna,
Thank you for swinging by and commenting. You were in my mind when I started to write the post.
Yes, 100% coverage. I had no idea! When we met with our Dr for the first time, she reviewed our records. When she saw Ray’s past cancers, she said she would send a note to CPAM when it was time to fill out the Dr form (3 months in France). We were in shock! The insurance is beyond our wildest dreams. Of course, same-day appointments for emergencies. I waited one week to see the dermatologist, 2 weeks for the dentist…non emergencies.
The language hasn’t been a problem. I use Google translate when necessary, and have had some detailed conversations with folks. We have a weekly lesson and I study online (not much). Ray has a good command of the language, so that helps. I’ve found people are willing to help when they know you are making an attempt.
Oh, I hope you move! Keep me posted.
XXX
Which company did you use for the mutuelle insurance?
Hi Linda,
I went through Exclusive. The policy is new, and we haven’t used it yet. Next week we fill prescriptions, so we’ll see how that goes. At least our pharmacist will be happy.
Hi Linda,
I wanted to give you an update. We filled six prescriptions yesterday and paid nothing out of pocket. Between the Carte Vitale and our mutuelle, we were covered. I’m impressed!
Barb,
Hi! We hear about National Health Care Systems here in the United States all the time. The Carte Vitale seems straightforward with very little red tape as long as documentation is provided.
Now I do have a question, my hubby and I usually buy extra medical insurance coverage when we travel so there is no question for coverage. Do you recommend this type of additional medical insurance coverage when traveling abroad?
Hi Eugenia,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I truly appreciate!
In the US, we always took out additional medical insurance when traveling abroad to be on the safe side.
With our Carte Vitale, we also have coverage in the other EU (AWESOME), so that’s not necessary.
As an American traveling in Europe, I would still take out additional medical coverage when traveling.
When we visit the US, we will need to take out insurance to cover us in case of an emergency.
In the past, we’ve used Issubuy, and I can highly recommend them (no affiliation, whatsoever).
XXX
I’m so glad to read about your new life. (Paper work, uggg…it can’t be avoided). But all I’m thinking is how the move to your beloved France has really happened! Love to you both, look forward to seeing more.
xoxoxo
Andrea
Hi Andrea!
It’s great to see you here! Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
I am in paperwork hell right now— French taxes, US taxes, visa renewal…it doesn’t seem to end, but I’m so glad we made the move. This was/is a dream come true.
Love and hugs to you and hubby.
XXXOOO