4. Voluntary Health Insurance in France

1. 4.1. Limits of Social Security Cover
2. 4.2. Limits of Voluntary Insurance
3. 4.3. Level of Voluntary Insurance Contributions
4. 4.4. Getting Voluntary Insurance

4.1. Limits of Social Security Cover

Whilst there is universal health service cover in France, as a general rule, the social security system only picks up a percentage of your medical costs.

The percentages carried by the social security system in individual cases will vary, depending on the type of treatment received and from whom.

The GP system and basic health care fees and reimbursement levels are fairly straightforward, but specialist services can get a little more complicated and expensive.

Thus, the social security system will normally pay for about 70% of official GP fees and 65% of prescribed medicines. In cases of major illness or low income, then it will reimburse almost 100% of the costs.

However, beyond this general statement the level and scope of reimbursement depends on the type of treatment, the type of illness, your circumstances, and the cause of the illness. More information is provided in later pages.