Health insurance on a 10-week trip to France?

Question

I am going to France for 10 weeks. Since they have socialized care, do I need to buy Health Insurance? If I do need to buy health insurance, where should I look?

Answer 1

You might want to try and bookmark this site for research information on health insurance. news, articles and more. It may have the resources to help you with your question about travelling insurance.

http://www.healthinsurance-guide.net/

Answer 2

The french health care system covers any person who works and pays its charges in France.

If you just travel in France you can't benefit this system! You should buy an insurance.

Answer 3

Nothing to add really, just wanted to congratulate eclipsepearl for her very accurate and intelligent answer. I am the opposite of her, French living in America. I do all my doctor's visits/exams in France when I go there on vacation because I can't afford them here in the States. French health care professionals are always suprised that I pay out of pocket (since I don't have French coverage any more now that I live here). But, the full price of a doctor's visit there is the price of a co-pay here! And prescription drugs are 3 to 18 times cheaper!

Answer 4

The French system of government sponsored health insurance is NOT a system of free care for anyone who happens to be in France.

It is not properly described as socialized medicine in the sense of the British NHS. Doctors are independant practicitoners and not government employees and you will be billed for services at the time they are rendered. Even if you are French and a part of the system of Sécurité sociale you first pay the bill and are then reimbursed by the government sponsored health insurance system.

You should check to see how your current health insurance deals with compensation to foreign health service providers. If you do not have a policy then you should buy a temporary one if you have any real concerns that you will require medical treatment during your 10 week trip.

Answer 5

They have free health insurance in France. NHS. If you get sick, they'll treat you. For free.

Even if you're American.

lolz.

Answer 6

Are you American? Then check with your health care provider. If you're with a HMO, they usually function as a traditional company outside a specific geographical area (I think France qualifies!) Your traditional health plan might have special provisions for travelling abroad. Ask.

I had three children in France on American health insurance, Blue Cross/Sheild, in case you're curious. It was not a problem. Don't let them give you a "feuille des soins" as a receipt. Your company will not make heads or tails of it. Ask them first what they would need and I had to give them a recept with the treatment, cost and doctor's details. That's all!

Health care costs are waaaaaay cheaper than in the States so if you run into problems, bug them. Hey, you're actually saving them money by coming here to France! Often, they'll stipulate, no routine care but if you run into problems, you'll be well taken care of.

Disregard all the above if you're NOT American. It's not relevent ;)

Just as a note, many doctors can function okay in English but often don't speak it. Contact any local English speaking or American clubs to find out which doctors do speak English where you're headed.

Sure, you can buy additional health care coverage before you arrive but check with the one you have to see if it's really necessary.

This is NOT socialized health care. I lived in England too and it's very different. Don't compare the two.

Good luck and enjoy your stay here.

Answer 7

You will also want to cover yourself in case you need to be evacuated back to your counrty, or heaven forbid, if you were to die overseas, it could cost upwards of $50,000.00 to get your body back to your home country. You never know what can happen, and when you're in a foreign country, I would say its best to cover yourself against unforseen emergencies. I am a missionary and I never leave the country without international health insurance. Even though I have blue cross, they don't cover me when I leave the country. I always go to http://www.worldwidemedical.com and get the Liaison plan. it costs me $1.56 per day for a million dollar policy, and i can do it all online and print out my ID card right on the spot. Easy and cheap! Good luck to you and have a safe journey!

Answer 8

They will treat you, but it is not exactly free, even for the French.  You can walk into a clinic and see a doctor for about $25, and god forbid, if you get hit by a taxi they will treat you.  I have had to go to the doctor there and it is a miracle compared to what we have, really.