How do I get healthcare/insurance in France if I'm unemployed?

Health coverage doesn’t stop just because you’re unemployed. If you’re receiving any “revenue de remplacement” (unemployment payments), then you’re covered just as any other salaried worker would be. Once unemployment benefits expire, you continue to be covered for an unlimited time as long as you can prove that you’re looking for work.

Here’s an explanation.

Thank you! I am not receiving unemployment since I am currently in the U.S. I am moving to France and will be looking for work. If I understand correctly – I should go to the ANPE and then? to enroll for unemployment (can I do this if I have never worked a day in my life in France?), and then go the Social Security office to formalize my health care / insurance situation. Thank you very much already – I am a little lost in figuring out how I am going to make this move and take care of my health at the same time.

In this case, you’ll have to go about it differently. You’ll be covered by the CMU (Couverture Medicale Universelle), but only after you’ve been a resident for at least 3 months (uless you’re a student). Here’s more info.

What if I am a student at Alliance Francaise for my 1st 3 months in France? From what I understand – this puts me in the “student” category even though it’s a private school. But maybe not since I’m over 27. I surmise that I would be able to purchase that additional coverage that 90%+ of french people buy only after I am there for three months as well.

Do you have any suggestions about interim coverage or do you think I should keep my U.S. health insurance till I am the french system?

If I do start to see doctors without insurance – I believe it will not be too expensive…...or will it? I just need to find a GP and a chiropractor or osteopath

Thank you again! It may seem strange that I am so happy about your answers, but it is because they are very clear. Now I know that I need to register at the Marie ASAP so they know I’m there.

Eventually I’ll need to be referred to a neuromuscular dentist and – at some point – get braces for 2–3 years – something American Insurance does not cover – but which I hope will be less expensive and partly covered by the french system – since it is a medical necessity. I’ve been wondering if this could possible fall under the category of, “maladies rares,” since my TMJ is caused by a malocclusion which was made worse by braces at 13. I doubt it, but it would be nice if it did, because I think it would entitle me to better coverage.

I tell you this because you are so informed and you could, possibly, have some insight into this as well. Thank you so much already! You are wonderful!

The Alliance Francaise is probably not among the schools covered by the “student” provisions of Sécurité Sociale, but to be sure contact the Alliance Francaise and ask whether they are “agréé par le régime étudiant de Sécurité Sociale”. Your age may complicate things, though the info I’m finding hints that there is some flexibility in certain cases.

Assuming that you can’t qualify through school, try contacting this insurer, which Sécurité Sociale uses to administer student accounts. They also appear to offer accounts for foreign students, and so should be familiar with the procedure for covering non-residents. Send them an email (for “Thème” choose “Renseignements mutuelle SMEREP”) and explain your situation and see what they can offer.

I’m sure that the treatments you’re looking for will be much less expensive in France, with the possible exception of the chiropractor. Last I knew, chiropractors weren’t covered even by Sécurité Sociale, but that may have changed.

Best of luck!

Thanks again – You have been wonderful!!!!!!