French Health Insurance Question
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Sep 4, 2012 12:36 PM Last Post By: gibbler
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French Health Insurance Question
I'm going to live with a family in Lyon for 3-4 months starting in October (I posted about it two weeks ago earlier on this thread). They have offered to pay for French health insurance coverage while I'm there. I have my own insurance in the US and proof of my own insurance is required for the long stay visa I'm applying for. But, my own insurance will reimburse me upon my return to the US according to my own plan details (emergency services count towards my in-network deductible and non-emergency services would count as out-of-network).I'm curious if it's worth it for them to cover me. I don't want to burden them if it will be a significant cost, especially since I'm technically covered, but according to what I've read French health insurance is much more affordable (in terms of actual cost of care received).
Does anyone know anything about this, or could anyone provide a link or source that might help me?
2
Are you a student? If you are young (less than 25 or so), I don't think 3 or 4 months basic coverage will be very expensive. For a year it's about 200€ for students registered in France.I just started reading through it all and it sounds quite complicated -- with a certain time needed before you are covered, etc. And anyway, basic coverage won't cover the full cost of going to a GP and certainly not for glasses or dentistry. It's just basic insurance in case you get sick.
So indeed, you need your US coverage just in case.
3
Student insurance is one of the best deals in France. By all means, accept even though I hope that you will not have any health problems at all.4
I'm unfortunately not a student. I'm 28 and simply going to live with a family for a cultural exchange of sorts. But bjd is probably right. It seems that my US coverage is probably the best option. And, since I have to keep paying for my US insurance, it doesn't make sense to have my host family also pay, especially if it's very basic insurance since it would be redundant.Thanks for your help. I'll also check out the health boards. I hadn't thought of that!
