Joined on 23/08/2004
Evian-les-Bains, France
Posts 312
health cover for retired Americans
A question received this morning from American friends thinking of retiring to France in 3 years time with obviously no previous health cover in any EU country: would they have to pay up front - say for an operation costing 10,000 euros under their private health cover and only thereafter receive reimbursement? If so, approximately how long is the repayment likely to take. If anyone knows, would be most grateful for a comprehensive answer TIA.
Sheila
Joined on 05/05/2006
72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans
Posts 8,270
Re: health cover for retired Americans
It depends entirely upon thier insurers and their methods. Some insurers here will pay direct to hospitals for operations etc, provided agreement is reached in advance for treatment. For everyday stuff like drugs and doctors' visits (which must also be covered by insurance for non French nationals), then it usually takes a week or so for reimbursements to come through.
If they wish to use their existing US insurers, then they need to ask them, I suspect.