As from January 1st 2006 The EHIC (“European Health Insurance Card”) is the replacement for the E111,

The intention of the EHIC is to provide ‘necessary’ medical cover for all E.U. Nationals travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA). Thus, people who are normally resident in the U.K. are entitled to a U.K. issued EHIC.  However, this U.K. issued EHIC is not valid if you are going to live abroad.

Each member of a family is required to hold an EHIC card.

The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due either to an accident or an illness within the European Economic Area.  The card entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting and the service provided will be the same as received by a person covered by the country’s ‘insured’ medical scheme.

The EHIC can also be used to receive treatment for pre-existing illness, chronic diseases and routine maternity care, but conditions do apply and the EHIC certainly does not cover persons who are visiting a country with the main intention of receiving medical treatment.

The EHIC entitles a visitor to ‘necessary’ healthcare but not necessarily the total cost of care. It is not the intention, for example, of the EHIC to provide treatment that could wait until a person returned home (most types of dental treatment for example) nor to cover treatment that, when taking a trip or holiday, requires specialist medical surveillance, and in particular the employment of special techniques or equipment (dialysis for example).

Entitlement in France under the French State medical insurance system differs widely from that in other EEA countries. All reimbursements are based on the ‘official price list’ called the ‘Tarif de Convention’.  It should be pointed out that medical practioners are permitted to charge more than the ‘Tarif de Convention’. This, the ‘depassement’ as it is known, is paid by the patient, and the gap between the cost and reimbursement is substantial and in some cases can be serious. Thus, it is important to ensure that any treatment or advice you receive is falls under the ‘Tarif de Convention’.   

What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?

•    Doctors, dentists and prescriptions: make sure the doctor or dentist you consult is 'conventionné' - i.e. they work within the French health system and under the ‘Tarif de Convention’. After treatment, obtain a signed statement of the treatment given (a 'feuille de soins') - you cannot claim a refund without it. You will be charged for the treatment you receive, as well as for any prescribed medicines, and the amount(s) should be shown on the feuille de soins.
Around 70 per cent of standard doctors' and dentists' fees are refunded, and between 35 and 65 per cent of the cost of most prescribed medicines. The cost of common remedies and items such as bandages are refunded at the lower rate. The cost of medicines marked with a vignette or N.R. is not recoverable.

•    Hospital treatment: you must pay for out-patient treatment and then claim a partial refund from the local Sickness Insurance Office (‘Caisse Primaire d'Assurance-Maladie’ or CPAM). If you are treated as an in-patient in an approved hospital and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), the office will pay 75 per cent or more of the cost direct to the hospital. You pay the balance. You must also pay a fixed daily hospital charge ('forfait journalier'). The 25 per cent balance and the forfait journalier are non-refundable.

Thus, it is important to have a ‘top up’ insurance policy that will protect you, in other words, cover the difference between what the French Health system (CPAM) will pay and the ‘Tarif de Convention’ charge.

What about a traditional travel policy? Whilst it is always a good idea to take out travel insurance, such policies do have limitations. They may not cover pre-existing medical conditions, or have age limitations on the plan or even impose specific terms or loadings.

The “EHIC Holiday Top Up Plan” has been designed to be complementary to the EHIC. This policy upgrades the basic package offered through the EHIC to a far more comprehensive medical insurance package for trips varying up to 90 days or up to 180 days. The plan provides total peace of mind at an affordable cost and boasts a degree of cover unrivalled by traditional insurance packages.

It has no exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions, no policy excesses, no age limit for joining the plan, no premium loadings, no medical questions and provides an ongoing advisory help service in English free of charge.
 
In short, this is a policy which extends the EHIC benefits to that of a long-term travel policy aimed at British Expats living and working in France. It is ideally suited to those who travel to visit France on a regular or long-term basis including second homers and people working in France / UK.

Helpful Links:

Department of Health Advice for travellers: Click Here

Department of Health information on the EHIC (UK Resident Only): Click Here

Department of Health information on the EHIC (UK Resident Only): Click Here