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Assetsure News 2nd October 2007
Loss of Healthcare threat to the Expatriate Dream
When we are knee deep in rain the United Kingdom, most of us at some
point start dreaming of buying a holiday home abroad or even taking
the plunge and moving abroad on a permanent basis. In recent years the
number of Brits becoming Expats has grown considerably, many retiring
people found that they could sell their home in the United Kingdom,
buy a property abroad and still have money left over to enjoy a decent
lifestyle. Now, however, thousand of Brits who moved to France in
search of this dream lifestyle may be forced to return to the United
Kingdom if plans top scrap health care for expatriates goes ahead as
planned
The new rules which came in to force on the 1st October mean that
Brits who have taken
early retirement in France can no
longer rely on the National Health service to pay for their medical
bills and they will have to effect their own Expatriate Medical
Insurance. Whilst the purchase of private medical insurance is fairly
easy in France and other European countries, most policies will not
cover you for any kind of pre existing medical condition. This type of
cover is often available but it can be at a fairly hefty price.
The French social security released a statement last week that
inactive persons below the age of retirement would no longer have
access to the state run medical scheme, in stead they would have to
buy private medical insurance. Apparently, these rules not only apply
to new comers but to all early retires and unemployed people already
in France and benefiting from universal state cover (Couverture
Maladie Universelle)
Many believe that this new ruling may be in breach of European Rules,
certainly removing healthcare from disabled expats is not going to be
popular and will do nothing for the image of France abroad and may
serve to dampen the French property market.
Under the CMU, patients pay their own bills then reclaim them from a
local CMU bureau. A charge is levied for this service of up to 8% of
income. Under the current rules, Brits who move to France to live, are
covered for up to two years by virtue of the E106 form. Once they
reach retirement age, they are entitled to national health cover paid
for by the British Government via an E121 form. Under the new rules
any inactive Brits ( or other nationalities for that matter) who have
not reached retirement age cannot claim CMU. It must be stressed
however that emergency cover is not effected and you will still
receive treatment.
Expatriate medical insurance varies
is cost quite dramatically depend dent on the usual underwriting
factors such as age and the state of your health. If you are fit and
health costs will be reasonable, however if you have a pre existing
medical condition, you may find that premiums are beyond your means.
Expatriate medical insurance is available from Assetsure Limited who
would welcome any enquiry,
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Copyright Assetsure Limited 2007
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