Living in France has many perks: beautiful scenery, amazing food, and one of the best healthcare systems in the world. But here’s something most English-speaking expats don’t realise — you might be losing money without even knowing it.
From missed reimbursements to outdated paperwork, small gaps in your healthcare admin can quietly drain your wallet. The good news? It’s easy to fix once you know how.
1. Keep Your Carte Vitale Updated
Your Carte Vitale is your golden ticket to getting reimbursed. But if your details (address, job, marital status) change and you forget to update CPAM, your refunds can be delayed — or even refused.
Fix it: Notify CPAM immediately after any life change. Quick, free, and essential.
2. Don’t Skip the Mutuelle
French healthcare isn’t 100% free — it usually reimburses around 70%. The rest? That’s where your mutuelle (top-up insurance) steps in. Without one, those gaps add up fast.
Fix it: Choose a mutuelle that matches your needs (dental, vision, hospital cover) — and review it yearly.
3. Claim Your Transport Reimbursements
If you have an ALD (long-term illness) or frequent hospital trips, you might qualify for transport reimbursements — but you need the right paperwork.
Fix it: Request a “bon de transport” from your doctor and submit it via Ameli or your provider. Petrol, taxis, VSL — they can all count.
4. Know What’s Covered — and What’s Not
Eye exams, dental work, physiotherapy — the rules aren’t always clear. Many expats overpay simply because they don’t know what they’re entitled to.
Fix it: Use Ameli, ask your CPAM — or let Hello Santé explain it in plain English.
5. Use Mon Espace Santé
France is going digital: prescriptions, lab results, reimbursements — all can be stored online. But only if you actually log in and use it!
Fix it: Activate your Mon Espace Santé account and upload your prescriptions. It’s free and keeps everything in one place.
Need a Helping Hand?
That’s exactly what Hello Santé is here for. We guide English-speaking expats through the French healthcare system — step by step, in plain English, with no jargon.
Help with your Carte Vitale
Support applying for a mutuelle
Guidance on reimbursements and ALD claims
Appointments booked without the headache
Stop losing money and start getting what you’re entitled to.
Contact us today or follow Hello Santé on Facebook for weekly tips that make French healthcare less stressful — and more rewarding.
Mutuelle question. Is it possible to change your level of cover just before you are hospitalised to get 100% reimbursement from your mutuelle? Currently set at 40€ /day. Cost for private room is 70€. This is for a month’s stay in a rehabilitation centre for Cardic patients.
In most cases, you can’t upgrade your mutuelle cover right before a hospitalisation and expect the higher level to apply immediately. Mutuelle contracts almost always have waiting periods (délai de carence) or require you to already be at that cover level before the hospital stay is planned. This prevents people from increasing cover only when a big expense comes up.
👉 For your situation:
If your current cover is €40/day and the private room is €70/day, your mutuelle will likely continue reimbursing only €40/day.
The extra €30/day would usually be out of pocket unless you had upgraded well in advance.
Some mutuelles allow changes at renewal dates or after certain life events, but they rarely apply retroactively to planned care.
💙 Tip: It’s always worth checking directly with your mutuelle — some have flexibility, but it’s best to confirm in writing before making decisions.