What to know about US health insurance if you move to France

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Key Takeaways

• US health insurance usually does not cover care in France except for rare cases or emergencies near the US border.
• After three months in France, residents are legally required to join the French public health system.
• International health plans are recommended before being eligible for French coverage and may help meet visa requirements.

Many Americans wonder whether they can keep their US health insurance if they move to France 🇫🇷. This is a common question among expats, retirees, and people sent abroad for work. Being covered in case of illness or accident is important, and changing countries brings a lot of questions about insurance. This detailed FAQ explains the main rules, choices, and what you should think about if you plan to live in France 🇫🇷 but still want to be covered by US health insurance like Medicare, or other private or employer plans.

What to know about US health insurance if you move to France

Frequently Asked Questions: US Health Insurance and Living in France

General Guidance

Can I Keep My US Health Insurance While Living in France 🇫🇷?

You can keep certain US health insurance plans, but in most cases they do not cover medical care in France 🇫🇷. Most regular plans only help with healthcare inside the United States 🇺🇸. This means if you live in France 🇫🇷 and need a doctor or go to a hospital, your US health insurance most likely will not pay those bills.

Key Points:
– Ordinary US health insurance, including many employer plans and individual policies, will not pay for care in France 🇫🇷.
– If you want to keep your US policy for visits home, you can do that—but it will not protect you in France 🇫🇷.
– Keeping a US policy while getting French coverage can be expensive, and often is unnecessary.

Example:
Mary moves to France 🇫🇷 for retirement but keeps her employer health plan, thinking it will cover her if she gets sick. When she visits a French doctor, her plan says “no coverage outside the US,” so she has to pay herself.

Does Medicare Cover Medical Needs in France 🇫🇷?

Medicare is the US health insurance for people age 65 and up. You can keep paying for Medicare Parts A and B when you live abroad, but it will not help with your medical costs in France 🇫🇷 except in rare emergencies very close to the US border. This means if you are a Medicare enrollee living in France 🇫🇷, you will pay full price for any care you need unless you also enroll in local health coverage.

Important Notes:
– Keeping Medicare active might be smart if you return to the US often or later wish to move back, so you avoid paying penalties for dropping out.
– Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are usually canceled automatically when you move out of the plan area, which means most of these plans cannot be kept while living long-term in France 🇫🇷.

See more under Medicare eligibility rules on the US government site.

Are There Types of US Health Insurance That Work in France 🇫🇷?

Most standard insurance (including most job-based or ACA plans) only pays for care received in the United States 🇺🇸.
– Some special policies, like international or global health insurance, may cover worldwide—including France 🇫🇷. These are usually bought from major international insurers, not from US domestic companies.
– Travel insurance from the US sometimes pays for care in France 🇫🇷 but only for short trips, not for long-term living.

Summary table:

Insurance Type	Covers in France 🇫🇷?	Usefulness
Standard US Plan	No	Only for US visits
Medicare Part A/B	No (except rare border cases)	Useful for US trips, not France 🇫🇷
International Plan	Yes	Good for both France 🇫🇷 and travel
French Public Scheme	Yes	Required and best for residents

If I Am a US Expat, Do I Have to Join French Health Insurance After Moving?

Yes. France 🇫🇷 requires nearly all residents (including expats) to have health coverage through the national system called L’Assurance Maladie after they have lived in the country for three months.
– You must register with your local CPAM (Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie) office.
– You need to show proof of where you live in France 🇫🇷 and your legal right to stay.

What does French health insurance cover?
– About 70%–80% of most medical costs are paid for by the public system.
– Many people buy a “mutuelle” (private add-on insurance) to cover the rest.
– This system is called universal, meaning everyone living in France 🇫🇷 must join unless on a very short stay.

Example:
Tom moves to Paris 🇫🇷 and after three months, he takes his passport, visa, proof of address, and French bank statement to the local CPAM office to register for public health insurance.

Are There Exceptions For Temporary Work Postings in France 🇫🇷?

In some cases, US citizens posted to France 🇫🇷 by their American employer may stay on their US social security and insurance if their posting is short (up to 24 months). This needs a special certificate (called a “certificate of coverage”) arranged by the employer under a US-France 🇫🇷 social security agreement.

This is only for:
– Official short-term business assignments
– Approved by both US and French authorities
After the assignment ends or if the person remains in France 🇫🇷, they must get covered by the French national system.

Scenario:
Sara is sent to Lyon 🇫🇷 for 18 months by a US company and stays on her US employer’s coverage, but at 24 months, her company tells her she must join French health insurance if she stays longer.

What Are My Options For Health Coverage In France 🇫🇷 As an Expat?

Keep US Plan: Not useful in France 🇫🇷. Only helpful if going back to the US often.
Medicare: Not accepted by French hospitals or doctors (with rare exceptions).
International or Expat Health Plan:
- These cover you worldwide, including France 🇫🇷 and visits elsewhere.
- Some meet the requirements for a French visa or residence permit.
- Good choice until you are added to the French public system.
French Public Health Insurance:
- Compulsory if you stay more than three months.
- Covers most needs and is affordable.
- Can be combined with a “mutuelle” for extra help.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that many Americans living in France 🇫🇷 first purchase an international health plan, since it covers emergencies and routine care while waiting to qualify for French coverage. Once in the French system, most drop other foreign insurance due to the cost and lack of extra benefit.

What About Emergency Care?

France 🇫🇷 will never deny emergency healthcare, but without local insurance, you will be billed directly and might pay high fees. Emergency care for people with no coverage often costs much more than for those in the French system. Having some form of health insurance (French public, mutuelle, or a valid international plan) is very important.

Can I Go Uninsured if I Drop US Health Insurance?

It is not wise to be uninsured. Until you can join French health insurance, a travel or international policy is recommended. This will protect you from large hospital bills if you are sick or hurt. The French government could also ask about your insurance status when you apply for a residence card or visa renewal.

Does the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Still Affect Me Abroad?

The ACA, often called “Obamacare,” says that most people living in the United States 🇺🇸 should have health coverage. However, if you live outside the US for at least 330 days each year, you do not have to keep an ACA policy.
– Since 2019, there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having ACA insurance.
– Important: Some US states still require health coverage and may charge a tax penalty if you keep residency there. Check your home state’s rules carefully.

Example:
Jenny moves to France 🇫🇷 in January and stays until December. Since she spends more than 330 days outside the US, no ACA policy is required that year.

Key Steps to Take When Moving to France 🇫🇷

Confirm what US health insurance you have. Ask your provider if emergencies, doctor visits, or hospital stays abroad are covered. Get the answer in writing.
Decide if you need to keep US insurance for visits home (Medicare, ACA, employer plan) or not. Most expats drop regular US policies, since they do not work in France 🇫🇷.
Buy an international or expat health plan covering France 🇫🇷 for your first months. These help with visa needs and emergencies.
Register for French national health insurance (L’Assurance Maladie) after your first three months. Visit the local CPAM office and fill out the application.
Consider a French mutuelle for extra benefits, since the French system does not pay 100% of medical costs.

Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: “If I have good US coverage or Medicare, I’m fully protected in France 🇫🇷.”
Fact: Standard US health insurance (including Medicare) does not pay for care in France 🇫🇷, except for very rare cases or emergencies near the US border.
Myth: “I don’t need French insurance; my travel policy is enough.”
Fact: Travel insurance only works for short stays (tourism, short-term business), not for full-time life in France 🇫🇷. After three months, you must join the French system.
Myth: “I’ll save money by having no insurance overseas.”
Fact: If you get sick without coverage, bills in France 🇫🇷 can be large. Not having insurance may also affect your ability to renew your visa or resident permit.

Where To Find More Information

Official government guidance on health insurance for residents in France explains how to sign up for L’Assurance Maladie and which documents to provide.
For more on Medicare eligibility and returning to the US: Medicare Official Information.
Resource for international expat health insurance: International Insurance – Health in France.

Summary

You can keep some types of US health insurance like Medicare or ACA policies while living in France 🇫🇷, but almost all US-based insurance does not cover regular or emergency medical care in France 🇫🇷. Once you have lived in France 🇫🇷 for more than three months, you are required by law to join the French public health system, which covers most of your medical costs. Before you join the French system, you should have an international health plan to protect yourself. Many Americans keep Medicare running in the background, just in case they return to the United States 🇺🇸. Visit the official French government site for updated requirements.

If you have more questions, want to check your rights under US and French law, or are unsure how your US health insurance or Medicare works when abroad, contact both your US insurer and the French public health office (CPAM) for current information. For further reading on health coverage for Americans abroad, you can also visit VisaVerge.com for analysis and updates.

Key Takeaways:
– US health insurance is mostly useless for care in France 🇫🇷.
– Medicare does not pay for healthcare in France 🇫🇷 (except in special cases).
– You must join French insurance after three months’ residency.
– Plan to get an international health plan for your first months in France 🇫🇷.
– Dropping US coverage may be safe for many, but keep Medicare if you might return.
– Always check with official sources before making a final decision.

By following these steps, you can enjoy peace of mind and strong health protection as you settle into your new life in France 🇫🇷.

Learn Today

Assurance Maladie → France’s national health insurance system, mandatory for nearly all residents after three months, covering the majority of medical costs.
Medicare → US federal health insurance for people aged 65+, which usually does not cover healthcare outside the United States.
Mutuelle → A private French supplemental insurance policy purchased to cover remaining medical costs not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie.
ACA (Affordable Care Act) → US healthcare law requiring most Americans to have health coverage, with exceptions for those living abroad over 330 days per year.
Certificate of Coverage → A special document allowing US employees temporarily posted in France to stay on US insurance for up to 24 months.

This Article in a Nutshell

Wondering if US health insurance protects you in France? Most plans don’t cover medical care abroad. After three months in France, joining the French system is mandatory and covers most expenses. Buy an international health plan for your arrival until you gain French coverage. Review your options before moving abroad.
— By VisaVerge.com

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