7. Non-Reimbursable Charges

1. 7.1. Non-Standard Fees
   7.2. Insurance 'Excess' Charges
   7.3. Minimum €18 Contribution
   7.4. Branded Medicines
   7.5. Medical Aids

7.3. Minimum €18 Contribution in France

Since Jan 06, if you receive medical treatment costing in excess of €90 then you are obliged to pay a contribution of €18 towards the cost of the treatment.

The charge is applied for any single medical treatment or for multiple medical acts during the same consultation, where the total charge is more than €90. If you are hospitalised, then the charge is applied only once for any single admission.

As might be expected in France, things are never entirely clear cut, as there are a number of important exonerations from this charge for certain types of treatment and for certain groups.

Those exonerations by treatment are:

• Long-term illness;
• X rays or scans;
• Laboratory tests;
• Certain prosthesis;
• Treatment for sterility;
• Long term hospital care (over 31 days).

Those groups who receive exoneration are:

• Pregnant women (last three months);
• Newly born children (first 30 days);
• Recipients of invalidity benefits;
• Persons suffering from work related illness/accident;
• Recipients of CMU-Complementaire.

If you need to pay the charge, you will need to read your voluntary insurance policy to see if these costs are covered. At the request of the government, most voluntary insurers have decided pick up the charge, although ultimately, it will be reflected generally in insurance premiums.