Engage Health Group

Tag: #expatriatemedicalinsurance

  • Expat Health Insurance France: Public or Private Cover?

    Expat Health Insurance France: Public or Private Cover?

    One of the leading influences on the demand for moving to France is the impressive healthcare system, ranking 8th out of 89 countries, only behind Austria, Denmark, and Spain, in Europe (Health Care Index 2019). France’s public healthcare system offers universal coverage for all citizens regardless of age or economic situation, funded by government agencies.

    Even with this impressive public healthcare, choosing the right health insurance policy is still a top priority for expats moving to France. Although 96% of France’s population uses the country’s public healthcare, an estimated 40 million French citizens own a private health insurance policy (2018).

    Need help understanding the international health insurance market? Our friendly team of experts can help. Contact us at +44 (0)1273 20974419 for one-to-one advice.

     

    Top questions on ex-pat health insurance France

    When moving for work or long-term travel anywhere in the world, it is important to learn about a country’s healthcare system  – what additional policies are offered or what is already covered by the state – and which are the best policies companies can offer their employees moving or working in France?

    So, what are the best French health insurance options for expats living or moving to France? What needs to be considered when looking at France’s healthcare as a whole?

    What is the French Public Healthcare System? 

    France’s public healthcare system is one of the best in the world. In 2016, French healthcare was overhauled to create the Protection Maladie Universelle (PUMA), unlimited healthcare as a right for all French residents. This is regardless of age or previous medical history.

    The government implementation of PUMA was impactful for expats living in France, where previously several conditions had to be met. The 2016 changes guaranteed that any resident living or working in France for longer than 3 months consecutively would have access to public healthcare and reimbursements.

    PUMA reimbursements refer to state-fixed tariffs, such as a standard charge for doctor consultations. You can expect to receive a minimum reimbursement of 70% of a medical bill, with long-term illnesses having 100% of the costs covered.

    PUMA guarantees that legal residents keep their health insurance despite any changes in circumstances.

    What does French public health insurance cover? 

    PUMA provides state-funded cover for a wide range of treatments and procedures, with French residents having to pay upfront fees that are reimbursed by government-funded agencies. What is covered under France’s public healthcare?

    • Doctors: usually pay a flat fee of €25 – insurance providers partially reimburse these costs
    • Emergency Care: A&E services under state healthcare
    • Specialist Care:  may charge higher fees than general doctors – for reimbursement need to have been referred by GP
    • Medication: most are covered by state
    • Dental Care: covered the same way as Specialist Care, covers general visits
    • Maternity Care: majority covered – 70% of first 2 scans are covered, cost of next 6 months fully covered

     

    How expats can register for healthcare: 

    The first step to registering for health insurance in France is to either join the social security system to register for PUMA or visit a local CPAM, the local department of national health (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). Expats drawing from a UK State Pension can apply for a UK S1 form to signify a change in address.

    Most employers will register their employees with social security, arranging the healthcare formalities.

    Once becoming an expat working or living in France for more than 3 months, your staff can then apply to be covered by PUMA, registering for public healthcare.

    Employees will need:

    • Passport / valid ID
    • Proof of French residence
    • Proof of address
    • Marriage/birth certificates (to include family under cover)
    • Evidence of income

     

    Who has access to French public health insurance? 

    Anyone who pays into the French social security system, or have lived consecutively for 3 months in France, is entitled to state health insurance. These social contributions average out to around 8% of net income above a minimum threshold set by the state.

    So, can all expats and citizens have access to state healthcare?

    • Residents: regular residency in France for 3 consecutive months per year – must intend to live there for at least 6 months a year
    • Employees: social security contributions
    • Self-employed / business owners: have access to medical insurance through Regime Social des Independants system (2006)
    • Children: automatically eligible regardless of nationality
    • Students: not typically recognised as residents (most get Student’s Social Security covering health expenses) – exceptions available for EU/EEA students with EHIC cards, scholarship students, students studying for less than 3 months
    • EU, EEA, Swiss citizens: use EHIC cards if staying temporarily
    • Unemployed / Low income:eligible for health insurance, can also get subsidies

     

    What are the different options for private expat health insurance France? 

    Although the quality of French public health care is incredibly high, residents also often opt for private French health insurance to ensure full coverage of payments and procedures. Below are the different options available for expats when deciding on French health insurance.

    Health Card – Carte Vitale:  don’t have to make upfront payments, contains administrative information needed by medical professionals

    Mutuelle: a policy that reimburses medical costs not covered by Social Security – are offered by insurers as different packages which are catered specifically to your needs, can be offered as part of a benefits package – basic Mutuelle’s focus on hospital care and medicine, and may include limited dental coverage

    European Health Insurance Card: healthcare at the same cost as locals

    For local health insurance cover, there are many providers that offer cover for expats moving to France. A few of the largest include, April, AXA, and Allianz – all of which we at Engage work with and support.

    (Look here to discover what can be included in International Private Medical Insurance)
     

    Why is expat health insurance France needed?

    Even with France’s top public healthcare in place, being an expat in France still has many difficulties. French expats must face a range of issues when navigating and understanding what is on offer to them regarding healthcare.

    Listed below are some reasons why French expats top up their cover with private international health insurance:

    • Dentistry and private hospital care are usually only available to those with private health insurance
    • Expats may be liable to pay a percentage of most treatments – PMI can bridge this gap
    • International private health insurance is global and will cover expats anywhere in the world
    • Provides a more comprehensive plan that can be suited to specific circumstances and needs
    • Provides access to a wider range of French healthcare facilities and doctors
    • Language barriers and French social rules can prove challenging to overcome
    • A good option for those with chronic illnesses – state/public will not cover chiropractors, osteopaths, psychologist consultations
    • Covers any possible scenarios – a medical security blanket!
    • Access to private hospitals and eye care
    • Covers the first 3 months of living and working in France, before having access to the public scheme

     

    (The topmost Spanish health insurance options for expats in Spain: An inside look at Spain’s health care system)

    International Private Health insurance for expats in France ensures ease and comfort during an already tumultuous move to a different country. Where the public health care system already provides protection and care, understanding a new country’s policies and methods can be confusing and hard to navigate. Having an international private health insurance plan means that staff are completely covered for any circumstance and get any extra support they might need.

    Learn more about how expats can access international health insurance and some of the key questions to ask.

    Contact us through Engage Health Group where we give free no-obligation advice and support and discover more on International Private Health Insurance.

  • Why Cross Cultural Training is a Must for International Businesses in 2021

    Why Cross Cultural Training is a Must for International Businesses in 2021

    Cross cultural training for international businesses has been an integral part of organisations for years. However, after facing the last 16 months of the COVID-19 outbreak, maintaining cultural relationships and an openness towards other cultures has become essential.

    The one thing COVID has taught us is that we are all in this together, so shouldn’t there be more emphasis on trying to learn about one another?

    Digital technology has opened up new possibilities for businesses. Hiring (and setting up business channels) abroad has never been so easy. This means mastering the art of cross-cultural communication has never been more important.

    So, what is cross-cultural training? What are the latest best practice tips? And how do international businesses get started?

    What is cross cultural training?

    Practised for years in many international businesses, cross-cultural training provides opportunities for expatriates to develop their understanding of the country they are travelling to or communicating with. The main concepts involved are cultural awareness, cultural competence, cultural safety, cultural humility, and cultural intelligence.

    Employees are given the opportunity to learn about the culture and values of a destination country, the beliefs and norms, practical hints and tips for daily living, work issues to specific situations, cross-cultural communication, reflect on cultural assumptions, and to make comparisons to the culture of origins.

    Whilst learning about other cultures is a key part of this training, employees must also gain an awareness of their own cultural background and place in the world. By understanding yourself, you gain an awareness of your own impact on others.

    Employees gain the ability to recognize the differences and similarities between cultures and, in doing so, the capability to adjust to different cultural contexts.

    What are the latest trends in cross cultural training?

    The face of cross-cultural training has shifted massively over the last 10 years. Everything is all about moving with the world – becoming more connected through international and multicultural growth.

    Below are a few predicted trends that international businesses will adopt:

    • Training everyone (not just expats)

    Understanding different cultures is needed at all levels of business – multicultural teams, business travellers, HR, short-term assignees, virtual teams, interacting with clients and vendors abroad.

    • Integrating Technology

    As technology develops, so must the delivery of training. Examples of how to introduce technology more into cultural training: information directly into portals and intranets, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), texting apps, chatbots and training on machine applications.

    • Adopt an Honest Approach

    Trust and honesty mean more business, supplementing businesses’ credibility. Open and honest communication is needed now more than ever, with COVID meaning more virtual meetings where miscommunication can easily take place.

    • Changing language

    Avoid labelling misunderstood interactions as “abnormal” “weird” or “wrong”. Changing slight linguistical approaches can drastically make all parties more comfortable.
    These examples are all based around a larger inclusion of different people and their cultures, encompassing as many people as possible.

    What are the factors influencing these latest trends?

    What is influencing international businesses to change their approaches to cross cultural training?

    • Growing emphasis on virtual training – more access to material
    • There is an increase in connectivity through the internet, social media, and remote working
    • Having culturally diverse teams gives businesses different ways of thinking to develop new approaches to problems
    • COVID – the so-called “new normal” creating distance between businesses and audiences

    One main factor is the rise of the modern learner. These employees are keen to learn (with 94% of employees saying they would stay at a company if it invested in their career) and want to develop skills in body language, communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking. This shows a shift away from practical knowledge, and a greater emphasis on employees wanting to learn more about people and cultures.

    Is cross cultural training more important than it was 10 years ago?

    Compared to 10 years ago, the leading countries in global connectivity have changed. Where the main connections were between Germany, UK, and US, there is now an increased emphasis on China, Singapore, and India. This change only furthers how small the world is becoming, creating connections further afield.

    Cross-cultural training is more important than it was 10 years ago. Business relations strengthen when employees are trained to communicate effectively across cultures. This is particularly true following the last 16 months of pandemic.

    COVID-19 has meant a more globalised approach to business is needed, bringing people together as everyone faces the same challenges and experiences. Businesses are connecting with more people abroad, made easy through virtual training and meetings. Every employee needs cultural training to be able to understand what is happening in different parts of the world.

    How it can impact wellbeing

    Cross-cultural training not only helps with the success of partnerships and deals for businesses, but it also improves employee wellbeing!

    The relocation service Cartus said that 61% of failed assignments were unsuccessful because of family or personal issues. This highlights the importance of cross-cultural training on the wellbeing of employees.

    Cultural training is rooted in supporting the happiness of employees through direct engagement and interactions with different people. It targets the three pillars of wellbeing, particularly the mental wellbeing of employees, providing a space for open communication. Take a deeper look into international employee benefits and wellbeing here.

    Cross-cultural training for international businesses is a vital part of organisations and is only getting more important as the world is constantly and unpredictably changing. You can find more information of what else is involved in cross-cultural training here.

    Contact us through Engage Health Group where we give free no-obligation advice and support and find out whether your cross-cultural training plan is up to date.
    Reveal the impact of covid on expats’ mental health