-
Festivals, holidays and places to visit in France in April 2025
Including a gladiator battle in a Roman arena, an international garden festival and the Paris marathon
-
Many Société Générale customers to be charged additional fees from April
There is some good news for international banking and instant transfers, however
-
Why gas prices in France are rising in April - and by how much
It comes after six consecutive monthly rises. Try these tips to reduce your bills
UK OAPs sent €5,296 healthcare bill in error
A Connexion reader shares his experience
As several British retirees with S1 healthcare forms report receiving letters warning of possible ‘Puma’ health charges to come - one reader has told Connexion how he has now been incorrectly billed €5,296.
Frank Wilding, 84, from Menton, said he and his wife were levied the sum by their regional Urssaf. They were unable to have it cancelled despite sending a Cpam attestation confirming their status as UK OAPs.
They had contested by phone, email and recorded delivery but, having no reply, paid out of fear of late payment penalties, with a plan to reclaim the amount later.
Mr Wilding also contacted the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions who assured him he was fully covered by the UK.
A spokeswoman for the Urssafs said anyone with such issues should contact their branch: UK pensioners who had contested having to pay but were awaiting a reply would not face penalties if they missed the payment deadline. The issue concerns the first bills sent under the Puma system which replaced the CMU de base.