3. Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU)

1. 3.1. Contribution Level into CMU
   3.2. Application Process for CMU
   3.3. Free Health Insurance (CMU-C)
   3.4. Assistance with Voluntary Insurance

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3.4. Assistance with French Health Insurance - Chèque Santé

On the previous page we considered your potential eligibility to the CMU Protection Complémentaire (CMU–C).

If your household income is no higher by no more than 20% of the thresholds that grant eligibility to CMU-C, then you may be eligible for a contribution towards the cost of your voluntary (top-up) health insurance.

Until Jan 08 this assistance was in the form of a tax credit, but in an attempt to reduce the complexity of the scheme it now comes in the form of a certificate of entitlement that you need to present to your voluntary insurer.

The level of the assistance depends on your age. Those aged under 26 years receive a rebate of €100; between 26-49 years you are entitled to €200; €350 for those aged 50-59, and those aged 60+ receive €500.

Accordingly, a couple aged between 26-59 years would be entitled to a total contribution of €400. No contribution is granted for children under 16 years.

In no case can the rebate be higher than the cost of the insurance cover itself. If it is greater then the insurance premium will be zero.

The thresholds for eligibility for these rebates are set out below. These thresholds include the 20% uplift. Accordingly, if your income as determined by your local Caisse (normally the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) is no higher than this figure, then you would be entitled to support.

You need to read Section 3.3 for more information on how your income is calculated for the purposes of eligibility.


Table: Income Thresholds - Jul 09 to Jul 10

Household	Annual Income
One Person	€9,025
Two People	€13,538
Three People	€16,246
Four People	€18,953
Each Add	€3,610

The reference period for determining your income is the previous twelve months preceeding your application. Accordingly, for an application made in October 2010 it is your income for the period Oct 09 to Sept 10 that will be used in assessing your eligibility for assistance.

If you think you are eligible then application should be made to your CPAM, or to the RSI if you are self-employed.

If you do not hold a voluntary health insurance policy you can still make application for the assistance, which remains valid for six months, during which time you can take out an insurance policy.

You can download the application form.

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Next: Voluntary Health Insurance Policies

Back: CMU Protection Complémentaire