Tip to find affordable top-up health insurance in France

Many French towns and villages offer collective top-up health insurance for local residents at an affordable price.

These mutuelles communales, sometimes also referred to as a mutuelle de village or mutuelle locale, range in size from covering a small commune all the way up to a large city such as Bordeaux. 

With one policy covering so many people, the commune should be able to negotiate a better rate than if you were to buy a single policy yourself.

The schemes also allow those who are not employed to access the good-value group policies you might otherwise only find through a French employer.

Unlike other kinds of top-up health insurance, there are no age limits or income thresholds on these policies and no initial health questionnaire to complete; the only requirement is to be a resident of the area offering the scheme. 

However, it is sometimes possible to apply if you work in the area even though you might not live there. 

Read more: How hospital charges work in France and what is and is not covered by the state

Finding your nearest mutuelle scheme

There are currently around 2,800 areas that offer such a scheme. To find out if there is one available where you live, contact the mairie or the Centre Communal d'Action Sociale (CCAS) often found in larger communes. You can search online to find details of your nearest CCAS.

There are also a number of companies and associations offering these types of mutuelles, and some of them list the communes they serve. Examples include Groupement Solidarité Santé, MCRN and Mutuelle Just.

Each commune chooses where to buy its group policy, selecting from a range of insurance companies including AXA and Groupama. 

As the insurance is locally managed, each commune can create made-to-measure cover that will suit the needs of the community better than an off-the-shelf policy.

Drawbacks of collective insurance

The main drawback is that normally the same type of cover applies to all policyholders in the group and cannot be tailored to suit individual needs. 

However, more communes are starting to offer add-ons such as glasses and eyecare to their standard insurance, which can give you more options.

Like other mutuelles, you can often choose to pay a higher premium to be reimbursed a larger part of the ticket modérateur, that is the fee you have to pay yourself after the state reimbursement threshold has been reached.

Insurance comparison site lecomparateurassurance estimates that joining a mutuelle communale can save between 30% and 60% on top-up health insurance costs. It quotes a monthly average cost of a mutuelle communale for a 60 year old of €59.45 compared to a classic mutuelle at €106.40 – an annual saving of more than €500.

If you already have a mutuelle, you should be able to switch to a mutuelle communale providing you have been with your current provider for at least a year. Less than one year and you can only switch or cancel if your circumstances have changed, such as moving house or getting married. 

Read more: Health insurance in France: See average mutuelle cost for retirees after new rises

To get started ask at the mairie or CCAS if your commune offers such a policy. If they do, you may be able to book an appointment with a representative of the association or insurance company they use who can help with your application.

An adviser setting up your new policy can also arrange for the existing one to be cancelled on your behalf. 

They will take care of the details and confirm the date that the new cover will start. 

You can cancel your current policy yourself if you choose, online through your current insurance account or by sending the provider a cancellation request letter by recorded delivery. 

Your current policy will be cancelled one month from either the date you cancel online or from the date your insurer receives the postal request.

You can sign up at any time for a mutuelle communale and cover will typically last for one year. The schemes do vary between areas so it is always worth reviewing the coverage details carefully to make sure it is right for you.

Have you subscribed to mutuelle communale where you live? How much have you saved and are you happy with the policy generally? Let us know at feedback@connexionfrance.com.