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| Healthcare updates |
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| Saturday, 15 December 2007 | |
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British embassy and French government issue statements BRITISH EMBASSY'S UPDATE ON HEALTHCARE FOR BRITONS IN FRANCE The British Ambassador to France, Peter Westmacott said: "We welcome and appreciate the French government's decision, following our representations, to allow inactive EU citizens living in France who already have access to healthcare via the CMU to continue to do so. This is good news which will bring relief to many British people living in France. However, we are aware that there are also British expatriates in France who are holders of E106 forms and therefore not in the CMU system. The Embassy has been in intensive discussions with the French Health Ministry about their situation. We have been told that this group will have the safeguard of essential immediate healthcare provision, and we hope that this information will be confirmed in the next few days." [14.12.07] French government's new decision on access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries Following representations made to the French government, we can confirm that the French Health Ministry has modified its decision regarding access to the French healthcare system for inactive citizens from other EU countries already residing in France. According to the French Health Ministry's official revised statement and Q&A factsheet www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm the position is: • Inactive EU citizens already living in France and already registered and accessing healthcare via the CMU before 23 November 2007 will now be allowed to continue to do so. • After 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence" in France, an EU citizen qualifies as a permanent French resident and will therefore have access to healthcare via the CMU. • The position remains that all inactive EU citizens under retirement age living in France now or in future who are not entitled to healthcare reimbursement (through the E106 or E109 forms) or to access to the French health system will be required to have their own personal health insurance until they reach UK state pension age (and therefore qualify for entitlement to the E121 form), or until they qualify as a French resident (after 5 years of "regular, uninterrupted residence"). • We have ensured that the French authorities are fully aware of the specific circumstances of E106 holders already resident in France who do not have existing access to CMU and who may not be able to secure private health insurance for various reasons when their E106 expires. Following discussions to highlight the need for urgent clarification in cases where the E106 is due to expire imminently, we have been told that people will have the safeguard of essential immediate healthcare provision. We are expecting a response in the next few days from the Health Ministry to give further detail for people in these circumstances. • As previously, people already over retirement age who are holders of an E121 which is registered with the French authorities will remain unaffected. This information is based on what we have been told by the French authorities. We suggest people seek further information and advice on individual cases from one or more of the following: French Social Security website: www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm CPAM - The French Health Service (English language service): +33 8 20 90 42 12 or to identify your local CPAM: www.ameli.fr/assures/votre-caisse/index.php CLEISS - (France's helpdesk for international mobility and social security): 11 rue de la tour des Dames 75436 Paris cedex 09Tel: +33 1 45 26 33 41 www.cleiss.fr For holders of E106 and E109 forms: DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline International Pension Centre Room Tc001 Tyneview Park Whitley Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BA Tel: +44 (0) 191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm) www.dh.gov.uk/travellers FRENCH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES HEALTH CONCESSIONS FOR EXPATRIATE EARLY-RETIREES After weeks of speculation regarding recent changes to residency requirements and state health cover for early retired Europeans in France, the Health Minster today announced several concessions for those affected. www.frenchhealthissues.eu/latest_news/translation_of_french_statement_14-12.htm In September this year, the government had issued a statement which effectively brought to an end, the right for all non-French EU citizens to contribute to and benefit from the state healthcare system (CMU). They had cited European Directive 2004/38EC which had been implemented "to codify and review the existing Community instruments dealing separately with workers, self-employed persons, as well as students and other inactive persons in order to simplify and strengthen the right of free movement and residence of all Union citizens." The directive states, in Article 7 that early retired citizens moving amongst member states must 'have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the host Member State during their period of residence and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover in the host Member State. This article has been interpreted by the French government, to mean that that insurance must be private, and they have used the legislation to force 'inactive' Union citizens (under state retirement age)to take out private health insurance in order to gain legal residence in the country. This left thousands of Britons, amongst others, in an untenable position. They had moved to France on the understanding that they would be able, on payment of 8% of their worldwide income, to join the state healthcare system, once their cover from the UK (via the form E106) which lasts for up to 2.5 years) expired. Suddenly they were being told that they were no longer welcome in the country in which they had invested in both financial and emotional terms - and that without private health cover, they would have to return to the UK or face becoming illegal aliens in the Europe they had embraced. It was a particular tragedy for those who had chronic illnesses or were undergoing treatment for serious conditions, as it quickly became apparent that no private company would insure them. But today, after months of uncertainty, the French authorities have finally made it clear that they have begun to recognise the humanitarian and legal consequences of the rules as they had been interpreted up until now. The more positive changes to the statement include: - All those currently affiliated to the CMU will be allowed to continue to contribute to, and benefit from it. - All those who have lived legally in France for 5 years will be allowed to join the CMU, and will enjoy all the same benefits as their French counterparts in the same position. - Those who have chronic or pre existing conditions which prevent them from obtaining private health insurance, may appeal for entry into the CMU Furthermore, the British Embassy in Paris has stated that it is still negotiating with the French ministry, to provide at least short term hope for the estimated 3,000 plus people whose E106 cover is due to expire on 6th January 2008, whose ability to obtain health cover has been severely compromised, not least by the length of time it has taken for the rules to be clarified. Said Deborah Dudley, a spokesperson for French Health Issues, the lobby group set up to fight against these measures: "Today's statement will mean that thousands of people will sleep better tonight than they have done for months, but for others the future remains bleak. It is still not clear how those who rely on regular medication and treatment, such as people suffering from diabetes, hypertension, asthma and the like, will be treated under the new rules; nor, those who are about to have surgery and major operations for life-threatening conditions. They face an uncertain future until this is fully resolved. There appears to be some hope for them, but the details are still vague and with around just ten working days to go before their E106s expire, this is still not good enough. The European legislation is also clear in that member states must publicise any changes to laws which could affect Union members, in good time, and through the proper channels. Clearly, an announcement made on 14th December, which begins to take effect on 6th January, contravenes this law, if nothing else. We also continue to contest the validity of the way in which the French authorities interpreted the legislation in the first place. The rule being used to introduce these changes, only specifies the necessity for comprehensive sickness insurance. We still believe that it is possible to comply with this by contributing to the French state system. We are therefore committed to continue our fight, until there is justice, in healthcare terms, for all citizens throughout the union, which was surely the spirit of the legislation which is now being used in France to such negative effect." For further information please contact: Deborah Dudley, Media Liaison, French Health Issues This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it www.frenchhhealthissues.eu 02 43 20 59 38 |
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