Have you said secu?
In France, the Social Security system brings together a range of schemes and institutions whose mission is to protect individuals from the consequences of various events or situations, generally referred to as social risks. It has several branches, including, for example, the pensions branch, which - it goes without saying - does not concern you at present. However, it also includes a health branch, the Assurance Maladie, which "covers the cost of health care for insured persons and guarantees access to care".
This branch, often nicknamed "sécu", is dear to the hearts of the French and is one of their sources of pride. Free and compulsory, it gives everyone, including the most disadvantaged, access to healthcare.
As an international student in France, you have access to it in the same way as all residents, and it is also free of charge. As a newly insured student, here are 5 important things to know about this insurance:
1. Necessary but not sufficient
While the Assurance Maladie covers a proportion of medical costs (consultations, medicines, tests and other procedures), it cannot, unfortunately, cover the whole cost. The reimbursement 'rate' (i.e. the proportion covered) can vary from 15% for certain medicines to 100% for certain diseases. For a consultation with a general practitioner (at a cost of €25), 70%, i.e. €17.50, is covered and reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie.
On the Ameli website of the Assurance Maladie, you will find the reimbursement rates for each category of health expenditure: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/remboursements/rembourse/tableau-recapitulatif-taux-remboursement
You will therefore have to cover yourself the rest of the costs. That's why we strongly recommend that you take out supplementary health insurance, commonly known as a "mutuelle". Unfortunately, it's not for free, but with monthly contributions of between €25 and €50 (depending on the cover you take out), you can have complete peace of mind when it comes to health issues.
2. No need to pay certain costs in advance
You will be issued with a Carte Vitale in the months following your enrolment in the Assurance Maladie, enabling you to benefit from so called “tiers-payant”. This means that you are exempt from having to pay in advance part of the medical expenses reimbursed by the health insurance scheme.
So a word of advice: when you get it, don't lose it - this little green card is precious.
3. A personal online account for your health
When you register with the Assurance Maladie, you automatically have a personal space on the Ameli.fr website. This site is a real asset for managing your health. You can use it to make automated requests directly, such as obtaining certificates, applying for a European health insurance card, checking your reimbursements in real time, and so on. It's also a health coaching space where you'll find all the information you need according to your age profile.
4. A special focus on international students
Yes, we love to pamper you, but it's also worth noting the efforts made by the Assurance Maladie especially for you: the institution is providing you with a special website, https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/, available in French and English and, if I may say so, with simple and very clear information.
To register, you will be asked to provide, among other documents, your certificate of enrolment at the school, a bank statement from an account in France and proof of civil status.
Initially, you will receive a provisional certificate and number, followed by a definitive certificate. Don't worry, as soon as the provisional number is in place, your healthcare costs will be covered.
5. A referring doctor
Last but not least, the Assurance Maladie will soon be asking you to declare a preferred doctor. This means a doctor of reference, a professional who centralises your health information. The idea behind this request is to ensure that policyholders behave responsibly in their consultations, since we're talking about public money here! The direct consequence of failing to declare a preferred doctor is a reduction in the share of costs covered by the Assurance Maladie. So there's plenty to motivate policyholders. All you have to do is make a request to the healthcare professional of your choice, who will be able to make the declaration himself/herslef with a simple click.
Once this declaration has been made, it will be visible in your personal space on Ameli.
And if you're passionate about the subject (we're sure you are! 😉 ) and want to find out more, you can take a look at secujeune.fr and its "dico de la sécu", which explains in very simple terms what's behind the Health Insurance vocabulary.
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